Classics fantasy5
A. Belyaev


The amazing world of A. Belyaev in a cycle of fantastic stories of the mankind eras covering a set  from the primitive person before flights in far galaxies.





Classics fantasy5



A.Belyaev



A. Belyaev,2019



ISBN978-5-0050-1173-2 (. 5)

ISBN978-5-0050-0936-4

     Ridero




WHITE SAVAGE





I.THE BIRD ON THEHAT


Astrange impression was made bythese ruins oftimes ofthe Roman dominion byancient Lutetia which got lost among houses ofLatin quarter. Ranks ofstone half-ruined benches on which the audience once clapped, enjoying bloody entertainments, black failures ofadits where hungry animals before an exit tothe arena growled And around such usual, boring Parisian houses, with the wood ofpipes on roofs and hundreds ofwindows, it is indifferent looking at pathetic ruins offormer greatness

Travelers stopped.

Them was three: Anatole, the boy ofyears often, thin, dark-haired, with the stiffened question insad eyes; his uncle Bernard de Troyes, the silk king, and his wife Clothilda. Only Clothildas persistence forced her husband togive up urgent affairs and toundertake this scientific expedition anew whim ofthe young woman who was fond ofarcheology.

Madam de Troyes, appear, was fascinated byashow. Her thin nostrils shuddered. Several times the nervous movement ofahand it put the disobedient lock ofanutbrown hair which was beaten out from under the gray silk hat decorated with alittle white bird inorder.

It is necessary toforce totell these stones! she exclaimed at last. We made amistake. We should arrive at night when the moon shines. The moon will bring shades ofthe past tolife, and before us magic pictures will be developed. We will hear sounds  the Roman military pipes. One their thunderous roar brought into flight ofenemies Pipes will begin tosound, and inreply tothem the roar ofthe hungry animals who scented human meat will be distributed, and we will see how Caesar ahoh

Clotilda de Troyes desperately screamed. The unexpected event interrupted poetic flight ofher imagination.

Some person ofyears oftwenty five, high, put as Hercules, with afair-haired small beard and moustaches on abronze face, imperceptibly crept toit and the bystry movement broke awhite bird from her hat, broke off it on small pieces, bewildered began totouch fingers cotton wool shreds which filled abird.

His eyes Despite all fright, Clothilda could not but notice these eyes, their extraordinary blueness, brightness. Inthem some strange fire burned. It was no madness fire, but at the same time ineyes there was something strange that she never had tomeet Inthem vigilance ofan animal and naivety ofthe child. It would be possible tocall aface ofthe stranger beautiful if not outstanding nadbrovny arches, deeply put eyes and wide nostrils. It was without hat the Long and thick fair hair covered his head.

All froze with this unclear trick ofthe stranger. But inthe next minute Bernard de Troyes rushed tohim, swinging astick. The stranger, showing amouth inthe wide smile opening his fine strong teeth accepted it as agame. It as if teased de Troyes, running up toit and dodging from blows with dexterity and natural grace ofayoung panther.

And from the street some person already ran, swinging hands.

Adam, back! he as though on adog shouted.

The light-haired giant reluctantly, but obediently stopped agame, having stepped aside with some muffled growl. At the same moment from other corner the police officer involved with shouts approached.

Ibring my apologies! the person who recalled Adam shouted still from adistance, swinging ahat. Allow toassure you that there was no evil intention. May Iintroduce myself Professor ofSorbonne ofdepartment ofarcheology and paleontology Augustus Likorn. And this Adam Iwill explain toyounow

But the become angry silk king wanted tohear nothing.

This disgrace! Tooffend the woman

But allow toexplain

Any explanations! And, stretching tothe hand shivering with anger and nervousness the business card tothe police officer, de Troyes told: Here my card and address. Iask towrite down these misters and tobring the matters into court. Wego!

He took the wife byan arm, nodded toAnatole, ordering it tofollow himself, and quickly walked tothe varnished car waiting them black.

When the fine limousine silently started at way, Anatole turned back also with childrens curiosity, looked with fear and admiration at the strange person who broke abird from the aunt Kloshat.




II.UNPLEASANT VISIT


Professor Likorn, having turned from Italyansky Boulevard into the small street Pille-Vil, shortened astride. After noise ofthe boulevard the silence ofthis small street struck hearing. It was the silence ofthe temple, is more right pagan temples ofthe Golden Calf. There live millionaires. Gloomy multi-storey buildings with lattices at windows ofthe first floor unfriendly look at rare passersby.

It seems,  here Professor Likorn, worrying, pressed the button ofan electric call which is put inorder inagrin ofthe bronze lions head. The silent door-keeper slowly opened adoor, let inprofessor the lobby filled with plants with the big, standing at an entrance bear and called upward.

On the wide ladder covered with adark red carpet the servant went down. Likorn stretched it the business card.

Mister de Troyes ofthe house? Iwould like tosee it on private business.

Mister de Troyes accepts on personal records on Thursday and Saturday ofnine hours twenty minutes toten oclock inthe morning. Today you can see only his secretary.

At this moment on aladder Clotilda de Troyes inagray coat and asilk hat with awhite bird at aboard seemed. Likorn bowed and stepped aside, passing it toan exit.

Clotilda de Troyes kindly answered bow. She recognized Likorn:

Professor Likorn! You tothe husband? It is absent. What brought you here? Whether history with abird on my hat? You see, the bird sits inthe place again. Means, everything is all right.

Ireally came totalk tomister de Troyes concerning that unpleasant incident which took place

Well, talk tome. Eventually, not the husband, and Iappeared as victim. Means, all this history my personal record. Professor goes withme.

The servant hasty approached Likorn and respectfully took off acoat.

Likorn hardly kept up with Clothilda who quickly walked upstairs.

Our acquaintance was started quite originally, isnt that so? with the same kind smile Clothilda addressed Likorn when they took seat inadrawing room ineasy chairs.

Yes he confusedly answered it is original, though it is not absolutely pleasant both for you, and for me. The police made the protocol, and business will be brought totrial.

What nonsenses. Iwill tell the husband, and everything will be settled. Also we will not tell more about vessels, protocols and police. One ofthese words cut tome hearing.

At Likorn went away from heart.

Ieven am very happy Clothilda continued that this case delivered me interesting acquaintance. Iread your books about the primitive person, and very much it are pleasant tome

Likorn bowed. He did not expect inany way tomeet here the venerator ofthe scientific works.

Tell, professor, this young man who caught abird on my hat whether the wild person is that whom you found inthe Himalayas inyour last expedition? All newspapers wrote about it, and Iterribly wanted tolook at this celebrity.

Yes, it it. The wild person, or rather the white savage whom Ifound inthe Himalayas, at the height ofseveral thousand feet.

Clothilda made the bystry movement.

As it is interesting

Really, this white savage is ofextraordinary scientific interest. He is not just asavage. It is incidentally remained copy ofabsolutely disappeared human breed, the last representative ofpeople who lived many tens ofthousands years ago and who as Iassume, were primogenitors ofthe European people.

You named him Adam?

This name was given it for fun, and then was assigned toit. Exclusively interesting copy. But  professor Likorn sighed if you knew how many he brought tome cares and troubles! At first I, certainly, could not release him from prison. He had tobe trained as an animal. But he missed locked up. And when it was alittle civilized, Ibegan totake it with myself on walk. It is attached tome and is obedient as adog.

When Ifor the first time went with it tothe Luxembourg garden, he literally went gaga over. And before Icame round, he already climbed up atree and cried for joy so that the walking children with crying inhorror jumped aside aside. The watchman hardened from such sacrilege. Another time Adam rushed tothe pool ofthe fountain ofCarnot he wanted tobathe. At the Place de la Concorde he climbed up ahorse statue, having gathered around himself crowd ofgapers

Clothilda laughed. She listened toit with great interest.

Once, when we came back with Adam on the carrier, tohim bothered togo too slowly. Adam seized the carrier byacollar, put off from atrestle, one jump ofvillages astride ahorse and rushed off at full speed.

Clothilda again loudly burst out laughing.

You will not retell everything. And on my head protocols, penalties, trials pour. Shampollio-na Street where we live with it, was simply completely terrorized. At first the administration ofSorbonne disentangled me from atrouble, also the Ministry ofPublic Education sometimes came tothe rescue. But eventually they were bothered byit. Fortunately, Adam considerably settled down. He already decently speaks French. Ialready rejoiced that with its wild tricks is through, and here the day before yesterday this unpleasant case withyou

Lets not speak about this case, dear professor. Tell better as you managed totear off from native mountains ofabiped young ofwild animal and totransport toParis.

Iprepare for printing my traveling diary. If you are interested, Ican give you proof-sheets.

Lovely professor, as Iam grateful toyou! Tomorrow send. Clothilda fitfully got up and reaped both hands ofLikorn.




III.DIARY OFPROFESSOR LIKORN


Next day the maid gave morning mail on atray.

It is the diary! Clothilda exclaimed. Mari, today Iaccept nobody.

When the maid left, Clothilda with nervous haste broke off abig envelope, took seat inadeep chair and began toread.

June 11. When Iwent toan expedition tothe Himalayas, one my colleague playfully wished me tomeet among eternal snow ofmountain tops the living namesake [73]. This wish was not executed. The snow dwelling [74] accepted me quite inhospitably. And ingeneral my travel inthe scientific relation went quite unsuccessfully.

Ibegan the travel with asole ofthe southern slope adjoining the Province ofAssam. The mountains below covered with magnificent tropical vegetation shelter tigers, elephants, monkeys. Bright greens ofall shades, from light yellow todark blue, are decked bybrighter paints offlowers ofplumage ofbirds: parrots, pheasants, hens ofthe most unusual coloring. If not clouds ofinsects and unpleasant dampness at night and even inthe afternoon, rising from the boggy lowland at asole ofmountains, this place would be worthy names ofearthly paradise.

Also the second belt, at the height of1000meters, with its vegetation familiar tothe European eye oaks and wild chestnuts is fine.

It is higher than 2500meters already akingdom ofconiferous trees, and at the height of5600meters the snow dwelling begins inthe true sense. Here the bear or amountain goat only occasionally rises. As it is strange tostand on top ofsix-seven thousand meters, inice air from which takes breath and tolook down, at agreen belt oftropical vegetation. Amazing show.

But Icame not for the sake ofbeauty ofthe nature here. Ilooked for the namesakes, traces ofthose who lived inthis snow dwelling one hundred, one thousand, million years ago. My searches, however, were unsuccessful. Himalaja jealously hid the secrets under ice blocks.

The travel is accompanied byextraordinary difficulties here. Mountains are broken, crossed bygorges. At night intolerable cold. At all there is no fuel either abunch ofadry grass, or abush. Snow, both ice, and eternal silence.

Conductors grumbled, and many ofthem abandoned me after one conductor fell inan abyss and broke. With me there were only three. Tocut with them ice insearch ofremains ofminerals would be madness. It was necessary tohope for the help ofthe nature: sometimes at acollapse ofrocks or ice blocks bones ofprimitive animals are bared. But the destiny did not send me such lucky coincidence. And Ialready thought ofdisgraceful return.

But todays morning rewarded me for everything. Irepresent how many noise will be done bymy find inall scientific world.

Here is how itwas.

Early inthe morning Iwandered between frozen rocks alone, with arifle behind shoulders.

Having turned for the rock, Iuvidat something forced me toshudder. It seemed tome that Ihallucinate. Isteps intwenty, at the rock, was faced aback tome byabiped animal. Otherwise Icannot call this being. Only the raincoat from the animal skin which is chopped off on the left shoulder was thrown his naked bronze body. Athick hair turned its head ofhear into ashock. On hands and under skin ofnaked shoulders and aright shoulder-blade played muscles as huge spheres. He rested naked legs against ice as though it was the parquet, and held an ice block inhand. But this block did not constrain its movements at all. Holding suspended this weight, he all case moved forward and looked out for something below. At last, having snatched some moment, it with wild growl which was carried on the mountains as the thunderclap, threw ablock down.

And immediately furious growl ofabear inreply sounded. The biped animal broke off still abig block and threw it down, and after that with the same growl itself rushed down.

Inseveral jumps Iwas on its place.

Before me the new picture as if snatched out from Ice Age opened. Never toforget tome this picture.

At the bottom ofasmall ice hollow the blood-stained wild goat with the killed backbone lay. Over it there was on hinder legs, with the blood-stained head abear. He furiously growled, having raised forepaws up, and from its mouth the blood stream flew on bluish ice. And towards toit, only with an ice block inhands, fearlessly there was other animal biped.

Why the biped animal so hurried? Why it did not finish abear from the safe rock? He was not able tocope with feeling ofhunger at the sight ofadelicious goat or considered abear the informidable opponent?. Who will read thoughts under this thick skull?

Opponents quickly met halfway each other. When the distance between them was no more than one and ahalf meters, the biped animal laid down the ice shell into abear. The blow had inthe left eye. The bear sat down, raised ahowl from pain and began paws torub amuzzle.

But at the same moment,  the remained eye that the opponent made ajump, abear, overcoming pain and falteringly growling, again rose inall the growth inadefensive pose. Also the biped animal stopped. Several minutes they were motionless. Then the biped animal slowly began tocome from the gone blind eye ofabear. The bear began tomove ahead inthe same direction, around. So they passed two circles as fighters before aresolute fight.

Iexpected that they will fall arms ofeach other, but left differently.

At the beginning ofthe third circle the biped animal appeared near the goat lying on ice. With extraordinary speed he suddenly seized agoat, clamped agoat ear instrong teeth and with dexterity ofacat began toclimb up ice ledges with the production.

Bear, having forgotten about heavy wounds, with the doubled roar rushed after the enemy who is carrying away atasty breakfast. But the thief climbed up already almost four meters, and the bear inpowerless rage scratched an abrupt ice slope.

Iwas delighted with courage, dexterity and resourcefulness ofabiped animal whether these qualities made him the tsar ofthe nature? and already thought ofhow tome toavoid meetings with agiant. Suddenly shout ofanimal despair woke amountain echo, and Isaw how the biped animal together with agoat and the broken-off block flies down. With bump the body ofabiped animal fell, the block pressed down his leg, and the bear with avictorious roar rushed on the victim. The biped animal was not given yet and, lying on aback, tried toreject fists paws ofabear with the huge shown teeth.

But situation it was almost hopeless. Here the bear broke skin from abrush ofthe right hand, here started sharp claws inthe left shoulder and the biped animal who just showed bravery miracles screamed with fear and pain as only animals can shout.

One minute Ithrew up arifle, clung inthe head ofabear and, risking tokill abiped animal, pulled the trigger.

The booming shot swept inmountains, the echo repeated it many times, and at once there came the silence. The bear killed on the spot failed all over on the enemy, having covered it with the huge hulk. Whether he is living, my biped animal?

Ido not remember how Iran away toahollow. Rushed toabear and, having grasped him bypaws, began topull. Futile effort. I, the Parisian ofthe twentieth century, possessed powerful weapon which strikes todeath, but too weak hands which got used todeal with books, but not with carcasses ofbears. Imanaged torelease the head ofunfortunate only. He was living and did not even faint. And he looked at me brilliant and blue as the sky, eyes.

My thunderous shot which at once laid abear, my look, extraordinary for abiped animal all this had tois strong toblow his mind. But at the same time, Iam not mistaken, he understood the main thing: that Iam abiped animal, come tothe rescue him too. And inhis look Iread something similar togratitude. Gratitude ofthe person tothe person. The feeling ofgratitude is also familiar toanimals. But inhis look there was something bigger. Animals so do not look. Yes, it was the person. The wild person, the unknown, the died-out primitive white race, but people.

However toargue there was not time. It was necessary tocall tothe aid. And Ibegan toshoot, did not shoot all the cartridges yet. Then began toshout. Reciprocal shouts were heard soon. Tome my conductors hurried.

With their help Imanaged toexempt the white savage from carcass ofabear and ablock ofice. He did not groan though blood plentifully flowed from its wounds, through the broken-off muscles the humeral bone was visible, and the leg, apparently, was broken. Imade bandaging, and then we with the greatest care incurred our precious burden tothe parkinglot.

Hardly tothe brother Iwould show so many cares. And it is clear why: it was not just the person. It was, perhaps, the copy ofthe remote ancestors ofthe person only around the world. Anumber ofindisputable signs spoke for it Ishouted on conductors when they stumbled, and itself mentally already anatomized him, weighed his brain, measured afacial angle

Ofcourse, it is not Pitecantropus erectus which remains ofbones are found thirty three years ago bythe Dutch doctor Dubois  was closer toamonkey, than tothe person, and died out already about one million years ago. And it is not the Heidelberg person living at the beginning ofIce Age something between the person and amonkey; at last, it and not the Neanderthal person ofIce Age that is lower and stockier Most likely he is akromanyonets, the primogenitor or rather incidentally remained descendant ofthese primogenitors ofthe people ofWestern Europe. Live kromanyonets. What will be told bymy colleagues? What will tell all scientific world? It is better than aunicorn. Isurpassed itself most.




IV.CONTINUATION OFTHE DIARY


June 13. My Adam, as Icalled the wild person, recovers quicker, than Ithought. Two days after fight with abear he lay infever, without memory, growled and tried torise. We with great difficulty managed tohold it inabed.

Using his unconsciousness, I, admit, did not keep and made some researches ofanthropometrical character. The volume ofhis skull 1175cubic centimeters (the gorilla 490, at Europeans has 1400cubic centimeters). Interestingly, how many his brain weighs?

When his life hung byathread, at me, Irepent, the thought flashed toprovide it toitself. And if he died, Icould anatomize immediately acorpse. How many difficult questions opening would resolve! But Ikept Iwill be frank up tothe end not on philanthrophy. Ilay hopes for this wild person. Iwill take away it toParis, Iwill teach tospeak, Iwill tame, Icivilize and how many extraordinary interesting he will be able toreport then! The most interesting question: whether somebody else from its tribe remained or it is the last copy ofprehistoric people?

He, certainly, owns something like the language consisting, however, ofonly several sounds similar tointerjections.

Aya, for example, he tells every time when wants todrink. Very often he publishes some additional sound similar totts-a-a as though calling someone. And when Ishowed it askin ofthe killed bear yesterday, he told: At-at-at, and his face expressed pleasure.

Iattentively examined his body. Extraordinary large volume ofabreast was result probably oflife at heights where air is very rarefied. On soles his skin  is thick. That is why it does not freeze legs.

Cheeks and even his forehead are covered with adown. On all body, inparticular standing and on the back ofhands, reddish hair, five-seven millimeters long grow. Ofcourse, not they only, and the thick tempered skin and good cellulose protect it from cold.

On his raincoat Ifound the interesting pin made ofivory, decorated with the carved bird similar toawood-grouse. Art is familiar toit. And he, obviously, climbed down mountains there where elephants are found.

Since that moment as Isaved it from death, Adam shows tome dog attachment. When Itied up toit wounds, he grabbed my hand and licked abrush and apalm inagratitude attack. Thus, Ihad pleasure toget acquainted with aprimitive kiss.

This morning Adam got out ofabed and, despite my ban though ingeneral it is obedient, left atent, broke abandage and, having substituted awound tothe sun, lay till the evening. This mountain sun does miracles. The tumor fell down. The wound quickly drags on. Some more days, and we will go toaway. Whether it will go with me? Whether will leave the native mountains? Anyway, Iwill not leave it. Live or dead, it will be inParis.

September 27. At last Ihouses, inParis, inthe small apartment! As long Idid not write! Adam with me. But what it costedme!

Against my expectation, it followed me. Adam obeyed, is more faithful tried toobey each my word as itself could master the primitive nature. Until we went down, topeople, everything was good. But further

My first care was todress it. Icould not bring it into civilized society naked, only with an animal skin on aback. With great difficulty Ifound for awhite flannel suit on its growth. It was just wide shirt and trousers. He somehow put on ashirt, but with trousers could not reconcile inany way. They constrained and made laugh him. It continually clapped itself (himself) on thighs, sniffed and hilariously twisted legs.

InCalcutta on the crowded street he suddenly took off trousers and threw them. InCalcutta people got used tosee nakedness, and it did not make too big scandal. But what if it does such piece inParis?

For the first time Igave agood telling-off him and as it was pathetic inthe consciousness ofthe guilt! He tried tolick tome hands again though Ialso forbid it todoit.

When we were already onboard the steamship, astory happened toit again.

Before the withdrawal the siren began toroar. Adam fell tothe deck inpanic horror, then jumped and one jump rushed through aboard tothe sea. It was necessary tocatch it from there and toconclude inacabin.

Many cares were delivered byit tome and with feeding. There could not be also aspeech going with it toatable dhote. Brought it alunch inacabin. But he refused he could not eat our dishes. Came toan end inthe fact that Ihad togive it, as well as inmountains, crude meat and water. Besides he suffered from aheat and therefore often howled, than caused complaints ofpassengers. It was very difficult tocome with it tothe deck. It always gathered around itself (himself) crowd ofgapers. All this very much constrainedme.

Difficult and long todescribe all events ofthis travel. Adam passed for fear tosurprise all the time. Trains, cars frightened him. Our clothes, at home, electric lighting was struck literally totetanus. Some trifle towhich we do not pay the slightest attention the spinning illuminated signs, sounds ofbrass band or pack ofthe making adin kids newsdealers so absorbed it that Ineeded topull several times it ahand toget moving forward.

But anyway, my tortures came toan end. Adam inParis.

December 14. Adam makes progress. He does not lick tome hands any more. Got used towear asuit, very much loves bright ties, learned toeat our dishes with aknife and afork. Knows several everyday French words. But Ido not decide tobe shown with it on the street yet. And it was necessary toair it. Adam began tomiss because probably that sits inthe room all the time, though at an open window, despite severe winter. At night, inparticular when inawindow the moon shines, he sits at awindow and howls. Iforbid it tohowl, but he after all howls, quietly, hushfully, plaintively Inthe middle ofthe night this howl the person very much irritates, but, Isee, he not inforces not tohowl.

Toentertain him, Ibring him books with color pictures. Tomy astonishment, he very well understands them and rejoices as the child. But especially my last gift pleased him: puppy mongrel. Adam does not leave him for aminute, even sleeps together with Dzhipsi he says Zhips and the dog pays it inreciprocal love, understands it on one gesture. Not therefore whether what their psychology is close?

December 26. However Adam was not absolutely civilized yet. Today tome the old companion came and friendly tapped ofme on the shoulder. Adam, possibly thinking that Iam beaten, with growl rushed on the guest, and after it and Dzhipsi, and me not without effort was succeeded tocalm all three. My old friend, the nervous and irritable person, was very scared and angry this trick.

Ion your place would keep it inacage he told, leaving.



* **



Further inthe diary there was adescription ofevents already known toClothilda: Adams adventures on streets ofParis. But she read everything up totheend.

It is solved, Ihave tobe engaged inhis education! she exclaimed, having thrown the manuscript on atable, and immediately sent toprofessor the telegram, inviting Likorn tocome toit together with Adam.




V.ADAM IS PUBLISHED


With some nervousness professor Likorn approached afamiliar entrance ofthe house ofde Troyes under ahand with Adam.

Adam with an unseparable doggie, inablack hat and afashionable coat looked absolutely decently. Likorn called.

Look, Adam, be aclear head. Behave decently. Do not shout, do not jump

Yes

The door opened, and they entered alobby.

The door-keeper, having recognized Likorn, respectfully passed him. The footman ran up totake off acoat.

Suddenly Adam with awild roar rushed on the bear effigy standing inacorner with open paws squeezed abear for athroat and was pushed with it tothe floor. Dzhips began abark. The amazed footman dropped acoat on afloor and stood with an open mouth.

Adam, back! Likorn shouted.

But Adam himself also understood the mistake when his iron fingers broke through askin ofabear and took tow shreds from there.

Poor Adam, you were mistaken. Bear not real.

Abird not real, at-at not real Intotal not real Adam perplexed muttered, rising from afloor.

We go, Adam.

Adam trudged for the master, heaving from consciousness ofthe fault adeep sigh.

Iwill be  he grievously spoke.

InAdams language it meant Iwill not be. Likorn involuntarily smiled.

The servant brought them into Clotilda de Troyes room.

When Likorn with Adam appeared inthe doorway, Clothilda, hospitably smiling, met requirements ofthem, giving toAdam ahand. But her hand remained tobe groundless.

Adams attention was suddenly attracted with aporcelain Chinese bobblehead with slanting eyes which stood on amarble fireplace and swung the head. Then he took aknickknack inhand, it crackled, and on afloor splinters fell down.

Adam, sit down professor strictly told, having taken him for ashoulder and seating inachair. Sidi. Do not move. You see that youdid.

Iwill be it is deplorable Adam said, sorrowfully considering splinters on afloor.

Iwarn you, madam Likorn told, greeting at last the hostess that this visit can deliver you and me many troubles. Adam is brought not so up tohappen insociety. And Iwould prefer totake away Adam, with your permission,now.

Iwill be Adam responded, having heard the name.

Trifles Clothilda answered. Please, do not worry. It as the child that from it toask

Bythe end ofan appointment between professor Likorn and Clotilda de Troyes the agreement that Adam will lodge from now on inher mansion took place and it will continue his education under control ofthe professor.




VI.UNIVERSITY ATHOME


Adam moved and at once turned upside down de Troyes house. The host felt like the most unfortunate.

You can imagine what means tolive inone house with atiger Bernard de Troyes said tothe partner on trade Itry toavoid this savage, but, judge whether it is possible toavoid meetings, living under the same roof. Who knows that at it on mind? He can kill, break afireproof case, set fire tothe house Ihave not dinner now at home, Icome back through the side course directly toan office, Iclose adoor on two locks and Ido not sleep all night long.

But really it is impossible toget off this resident?

De Troyes hopelessly waved ahand:

So far at the wife there will not pass this whim inanyway.

Adam was engaged with Clothilda inreading and the letter inthe mornings, and inthe evenings arrived on training toher brother Pierre.

Society ofthe young cheerful officer was pleasant toit more, than occupations with Clothilda. Adam willingly was engaged with Pierre and surprised the teacher with extraordinary bystry progress. For some month Adam was perfectly learned todriving the bicycle, driving, rowing, boxing, soccer.

However, its mad driving on the car came toan end innumerous penalties, but for Pierre it did not matter while and the sisters hands as he spoke, there was akey from Bernard de Troyes cash desk.

Inboxing and soccer Adam crippled people the crushing blows much. The soccerball which is started up byhis leg struck from legs as abomb. However success it was recognized bythe best athletes. It became acelebrity inasport field.

On Adams misfortune, Pierre educated him not only inthe field ofsport.

Quite often inthe evenings the young officer changed clothes inacivilian dress, took with himself Adam and went somewhere toMontmartre tobe unsteady on vegetable marrows insearch ofadventures. Pierre excited quarrels, then  Adam and enjoyed effect ofbeating ofbabies. Adam excited bywine scattered the tavern fighters pressing it as abear ofpuppies. Hop dumped from it thin varnishing ofcivilization, primitive instincts broke outside, and it became really terrible these minutes.

Pierre was set aside byClothilda, she began tobe engaged with Adamone.

Well-well, we will look what will be made byyou yours the improving womens influence the offended Pierre said with irony.

However he had toadmit soon that Adam considerably changed for the better.

Clothilda often walked with Adam on foot, and business did without any adventures. Adam behaved well.

What sometimes confused Clothilda, so it is Adams questions, absolutely simple, but which, however, she was difficult toanswer.

That he asked whether toconsider neighbor ofabear and whether it is necessary tosubstitute it if strikes, other cheek. That, having seen on the street ofthe hungry beggar near the delivery boy ofpies, Adam samochinno fed the beggar and started disputes about others and own, obviously without perceiving bases ofthe economy and insisting that hungry it is more, than police officers.

Such talk awoke inClothilda some disturbing feeling. And once, seeing that Adam goes, having bent the head, obviously reflecting over some new question, Clothilda solved: he should be entertained. With it it is already possible togo totheater fearlessly. It will be necessary toshow it some good classical play.




VII.THE SAVED DESDEMONA


Adam sat with Clotilda de Troyes inabed ofthe first tier, near ascene.

When the curtain rose, Adam quietly screamed from surprise:

The wall left

You sit quietly Clothilda tutorially told you do not rustle.

Iwill be as usual, Adam answered. There was Shakespeares tragedy Othello.

Adam looked at the auditorium shipped inagloom on bright festoon lightings, on the top boxes.

You look there Clothilda byafan pointed tothe stage.

Adam looked and there, but it was visible that the theatrical performance does not take its attention. Clothilda overestimated Adams development. The poetic speech ofthe tragedy, with conditional arrangement ofwords, melodious diction ofthe French drama school complicated understanding. Adam perceived only outer side ofaperformance: paints and gestures

Recovered only its collision ofgroups ofBrabantio and Othello inthe second stage alittle. And inthe third scene ofthe first act he already impatiently pottered on the place and sighed: toit bothered tosit intheater.

But there was Desdemona whose role was played bythe actress with aworld name. Her charming appearance, her suit and, the main thing, its concerning voice made amiracle: Adam suddenly addressed all insight and hearing. He and stared hard at the stage, without taking eyes with Desdemona. When it left, Adam sighed and with alarm asked Clothilda:

Where it left? It still will come?

Clothilda smiled:

Will come. Only you sit quietly.

What is her name?

Desdemona.

And Adam began torepeat quietly:

Dezhdemon Dezhdemon Dezhdemon

The performance suddenly gained extraordinary interest. Adam lived Desdemonas appearance, suffered from impatience when she left ascene. He still understood hardly more than one tenth ofwhat was told on the stage, but some intuition, new toit, he quite truly estimated people depending on their attitude towards Desdemona. Othello, up toawakening init ofjealousy, excited Adams sympathies as well as Cassio. Rodrigo was not pleasant, he began tohate Iago.

When Othello for the first time roughly shouted on Desdemona: Away from my eyes! Adam deafly grumbled. From this point he hated already and Othello.

The tragic outcome came nearer. Desdemona at herself inabedroom sings asad song:



The poor thing sat under the shade sikomor, sighing.



Oh, sing agreen willow



When Othello entered toDesdemona, ready tosuffocate her, Adam suddenly all pricked up the ears, as at the most dangerous moments ofhunting. His eyes with dry gloss monitored each movement ofOthello, muscles strained, the head went toshoulders. Fingers stuck into avelvet upholstery ofabarrier ofabox.

Desdemonas entreaties, Othellos anger all this was clear toit without words. At last while Othello began tosmother Desdemona, the inhuman roar was distributed intheater aroar which was expected byneither Shakespeare, nor the director, nor public.

The figure ofthe huge person grew from the dark depth ofabox. One jump it flew through orchestra on the stage, ran tothe actor playing Othello tore off it from Desdemona, pushed tothe floor and began tosmother, smother inthe most realway.

From the scenes tothe aid ofOthello firefighters, workers, actors rushed. Among this dump Adam did not release from Desdemonas type. Suddenly he noticed that Desdemona rose and leaves.

Adam instantly left almost lifeless Othello, scattered the firefighters who pressed him, Iago, the worker and Cassio, ran for Desdemona, picked up her as aplumelet, tohands and inthe same way, through orchestra, came back toabox.

Here he seated Desdemona and began toiron her on the head as child, and it is tender, the interrupted voice spoke:

Sidi with me, Dezhdemon. Nobody will offend you. Sidi, we will watch together there, what will be farther.

And Adam infull confidence that he watches continuation ofaperformance, monitored the turmoil which rose on the stage and inthe auditorium.

Clothilda, pale, rose and inexhaustion fell toachair again.

Adam she exclaimed release Desdemona now, and we go home!

But Adam looked at it so that toit it became terrible.

No he firmly answered. No. She will be killed. Iwill give nobodyit

Desdemona trembled with fear instrong hands ofAdam Clothilda lost the head. Really new scandal will burst? But it was and this time.

Do not worry, Iask you she addressed the actress, speaking so quickly that Adam did not understand we go tome, and there Iwill manage toexempt you from the unexpected savior. We go, Adam.

Adam obediently followed Clothilda, carrying Desdemona on hands. They passed through ascene, inaside exit, called the car and soon were at home.

Adam for aminute did not leave the burden. Having come tothe room, he carefully lowered Desdemona on afloor and told:

Here nobody will touch. Iwill guard.

Having left the room, it closed adoor and settled as adog, on afloor, having blocked adoor the body.

Adam did not get used togo so tobed late. The healthy sleep held down amighty body at once. When he fell asleep, Clothilda, quietly going soft shoes, entered the room ofthe neighboring room concluded through adoor, brought the actress, threw it with the coat and ashawl and, having apologized toit, sent on the car home.




VIII.THE LEOPARD INTHE HOUSE


Just dawned when Adam rose from the firm bed and slightly opened adoor tothe room.

Dezhdemon! quietly he called. The answer wasnot.

Dezhdemon! already with concern Adam repeated and entered the room.

The room was empty.

Deaf shout escaped from Adams breast. But he did not trust yet: quickly bypassing all corners and back streets ofthe room, he looked for Desdemona.

It wasnot.

The roar ofawounded animal raskatitsya on all mansion ofde Troyes. Adam suddenly felt extraordinary inflow ofanger. He was smothered bythis anger, anger against the city where all artificial. Artificial birds, artificial animals, artificial words And even Desdemona artificial. It disappeared, having left only alight aroma ofspirits.

Adam went mad. It began tobreak furniture, tobreak vases everything that came toit hand. These are calmed him alittle.

Then he suddenly nestled toachair on which Desdemona sat, and began toinhale the smell ofperfume left byher. From achair it went further, on this trace, having widely opened nostrils, catching afamiliar smell.

Inthe house turmoil already rose. Everywhere servants ran. It is unknown, than it would come toan end if Adam also unexpectedly did not escape down, smelling air and having extended the head forward as apolicedog.

Clothilda blocked inthe room breathed asigh ofrelief and began toput on hasty.

Brought morning mail. Clothilda looked at newspapers. Many ofthem already responded tothe event which happened intheater last night.

The saved Desdemona, The savage inParis, Again Adam, Is time tostop adisgrace names ofnotes dazzled. Almost the name ofClotilda de Troyes also was mentioned ineach note along with aname ofAdam.

Bernard de Troyes with the same newspaper inhands entered.

You already read? he asked Clothilda, having seen the newspaper lying on afloor. So cannot proceed. It is impossible tolive inone house with aleopard.

Clothilda did not object. The issue ofthe return moving ofAdam toprofessor Likorn was resolved, and reported about it toprofessor.

Meanwhile Adam, having run out on the street, ran around the house, trying tocatch Desdemonas smell. Attracting attention passersby, he ran further and further inhope tofind, at last, atrace. Without knowing the city, it found some intuition theater. But the theater was closed. Having run all over several times the building, Adam went toransack on streets again

Only late at night it returned tode Troyes mansion, tired, hungry and embittered.

From this day Adam became the real misfortune ofthe house. Almost all nights he howled as inthe first days ofarrival toParis, without looking on any admonitions ofLikorn, and inthe afternoon it vanished on streets insearch ofDesdemona. He did not know that the frightened actress the next day left Paris incidentally not tocatch sight toit. When he came back home, all house faded inhorror. Inhabitants ofamansion sat indisturbing expectation inthe locked rooms and only occasionally silently as shadows, crept along the corridor.

Adam was irritable and wanted tosee nobody. Even he met Likorn gloomy and did not answer questions, than very much upset professor. So many interesting secrets should be pulled out at the primitive person for science!

Only for two beings Adam did some exception: for Dzhipsi and Anatolesdog.

Something like asmile appeared on the lost weight and turned pale Adams face when he saw Anatole. And the boy appreciated this attachment. Childrens intuition he understood the tragedy

Adam who is torn off from native mountains and thrown into the boiling copper ofthe big city.

Lets leave with you Adam spoke more than once there, it is far  And init so much deep melancholy was far that Anatole tried toconsole inchildrens caress big, strong and at the same time helpless as the child, the friend.

Far it the word was also expensive and inaccessible toAdam, as well as Desdemona. Inhis soul the deaf protest boiled, and this protest at last broke outside.




IX.FLIGHT


There was aguest-night. One ofthose for which de Troyes house was famous. Among invited at the strict choice there were necessary people from ministerial and bank tops with the wives. Huge rooms were buried intropical verdure. Fresh flowers decorated tables, dozens ofservants finished the last preparations. All society waiting for alunch was placed inextensive salon.

De Troyes was happy. Only one cloud saddened Bernarda this brilliant holiday. Adam If only he did not take inhead tocome. But it came. Came before the most concert office, gloomy and silent. Anybody without having greeted, he took seat inacorner.

The invited famous singer sat down at agrand piano: she accompanied herself. Incidentally or deliberately, but the actress started singing Desdemonas song:



The poor thing sat under the shade sikomor, sighing.



Oh, sing agreen willow



Adam hardened. He did not imagine that others can sing Desdemonas song yes sir as though it is sung byher. Then it suddenly began totremble from head tofoot. His face was distorted byasuffering spasm. He seized himself bythe head, then suddenly cried so that crystal on chandeliers rangout:

It is not necessary!. and, having run up toagrand piano, struck acover which with acrash and aring ofstrings broke.

Adam with groan ran out from salon inacorridor. Inacorridor, the door tothe room, had Anatole. Adam on the fly picked up theboy:

We run tomountains rather

Side exit, on the street, had several cars. Adam chose the strongest car and, having dumped the driver, took seat on his place, having put near himself Anatole and Dzhip-si. The car rushed and rushed off at reckless speed on streets ofParis at once




X.THE SKY OVER THEHEAD


Scandal inde Troyes house was picked up and inflated bythe newspapers living on sensations. High visitors ofan invited dinner de Troyes revolted with Adams behavior inreturn pressed the buttons tolift anewspaper campaign against the white savage. Adam became the hero oftheday.

And, as it often happens, under the influence ofanewspaper sensation the public opinion which was still indulgently watching eccentricities and Adams tricks suddenly armed against it. Newspapers demanded immediate arrest ofAdam and contents it inthe most strict isolation.

Adam knew nothing it. With mad speed flew on streets ofParis and sighed at last all breast when before it the country fields crossed byatape ofthe highway were developed.

Where mountains? he asked Anatole.

The dozed-off Anatole could not think at once where he and about what mountains Adam asks. Having remembered flight, the boy suddenly felt the joyful, concerning and terrible feeling. More than once he dreamed offlight tofar-away countries insearch ofadventures. And now the dream is fulfilled.

Mountains he answered Adam is: Pyrenees, Alps Isaw the Alps Their tops are always covered with snow

We go tothe Alps! innervousness Adam said.

But it is far And then We can be detained on theway.

No, we is far  Adam carelessly answered.

And phone? The police byphone will let know toall cities, and we can be detained.

Adam ofit did not expect. He knew how totake cover from dangers among the wild rocks covered with snow and coniferous forests, but how toescape from phones?

Anatole appeared the rights. Already inKorbel where they drove at dawn, they were tried tobe detained.

Adam gathered mad speed and broke through achain ofpolice officers who began toshoot tothem following, marking at car tires. One ofthem was shot.

Look whether the pursuit is visible! Adam through ashoulder toAnatole shouted.

Now not, lagged behind

Adam unexpectedly stopped the car, seized Anatole with one hand, took out from the car, lowered on the earth and one rushed off on the highway.

Adam! Adam!. the thrown Anatole shouted toit following, crying with chagrin and unexpected treason ofthe friend.

Adam did not turn acar wheel on abrupt turn ofthe road and suddenly from dispersal crashed into the river, lifting cascades ofsplashes  began tosqueal for fear. Splashes, steam and bubbles rose over water. The river quietly bore the waters, only circles waves from that place where water completely absorbed the car with the person and adog dispersed.

Anatole incatalepsy stood under the begun rain. But it lasted several moments though they also seemed toAnatole infinitely long. Soon on awater surface wet Dzhipsi seemed, sniffing from the water which got into anose, and after adog and Adam. It came up from water and inthree waves ofmighty hands was at the coast. Adam and Dzhipsi equally shook off water. Adam ran up toAnatole, having mounted him upon aneck and without aword, ran tobushes.

Quietly. Sidi. Bend down.

Anatole did not manage torecover as on the highway car sounds were heard. Inafew minutes the car with police officers flew towards Melen.

When the car disappeared from the sight, Adam began tojump.

Anatole at last understood military cunning ofthe friend. The rain washed away traces ofcar tires, and police officers did not notice its disappearance. This time they were saved.

It was time tothink ofabreakfast. Anatole was intolerably hungry.

Sidi, Iwill come soon Adam told and went along coastal bushes.

There passed painful hour before Anatole heard whistle ofthe approaching Adam.

Adam carried two rabbits and, covering hollow, pieces ofadry tree. He threw the killed ofrabbits at whom Dzhipsi began tosniff, and began toextract fire, rubbing one piece ofatree with another. Iniron hands ofAdam work moved quickly. Anatole felt asmell ofburning soon, the smoke seemed, some more bystry, strong rhythmic movements the flame flashed. Anatole ate the rabbit meat fried on afire with appetite. Imitating Adam, it broke off pieces ofmeat hands.

The rain ceased. The sun looked out and dried up clothes offugitives. Anatole, tired for all endured disorders, with pleasure fell asleep. And Adam lay on the earth and without coming off looked at thesky.

At last the sky over the head instead ofthese opposite dead white ceilings where there are neither birds, nor the sun, nor stars, nor fresh breath ofair.

Adam dreamed ofafast appointment tomountains. Though not the family, but nevertheless mountains. And it was happy for the first time for all the time since climbed down mountains tovalleys where these strange people who prefer stone boxes toascope ofthe earth and sky live incrowded conditions and vanity.

Happy days offree, vagrant life stretched. Inthe afternoon fugitives slept inthickets at the river, moved ahead at night on the southeast where, according toAnatoles instructions, there were mountains.

Adam was able tosleep and watch each sound. When the sound seemed menacing toit, ears ofthe sleeping Adam began tomove strenuously, and he woke up soon. And they managed toescape ameeting with people.

However the destiny measured on Adams share afew happy days. Bypoll ofinhabitants the police defined the place ofdisappearance ofthe car soon. Persecutors surrounded with more and more narrowed ring fugitives.

One early inthe morning tothem had toescape inthe face ofpolice. They took refuge inthe wood and several hours carried out at tree top, hidden bydense branches, looking from above at the enemies rummaging on the wood.

It was harder and harder toget food hens and rabbits whom Adam caught about farms. The main thing, he felt that tothem not toleave from tenacious paws ofpolice, and then again bondage One this thought gave him the creeps




XI.ADAMSEND


At dawn ofgray day Adam came back toAnatole and Dzhipsi, loaded with ayoung lamb.

Suddenly he pricked up the ears. His ears started moving. Toit the remote disturbing bark ofDzhipsi and the scared shout ofAnatole calling tothe aid was heard.

With the inflated nostrils Adam rushed tomore often bushes growing near the highway where he left Anatole.

Police officers bore tothe car ofthe beating-off and crying Anatole. Dzhips overstrained from bark.

Having thrown aram, Adam inseveral jumps appeared at the car. He seized one police officer byacollar, lifted over the head, took adetour inair and rejected far inbushes.

Three hefty police officers snatched on Adam. Fight was started. Adam rejected them from himself. They grabbed him hand and hung on them. One ofpolice officers with professional dexterity tried toput toAdam cuffs, and he managed it. But Adam broke off shackles though wounded inhand blood at brushes, and after that, embittered bypain, he snatched on the police officer and stuck toit into aneck the sharp teeth. The second ofattackers left an operation Then the chief ofsmall group, seeing what without use ofweapons ofAdam not totake, shot from the revolver. The bullet got into ashoulder ofAdam on which bear claws left hems, and shattered ahumeral bone.

Adam howled from pain, but continued tobeat off ahealthy hand. However severe bleeding weakened it more and more.

Police officers snatched on it again and after several unsuccessful attempts held down toit hands again. Adam pulled achain and moaned from pain. It was tumbled down, strong connected, thrown into the car where Anatole, pale for fear, already sat, picked up wounded and quickly started on on away.

Dzhips with abrupt bark pursued the disappearingcar

Adam was placed inone ofthe cameras intended for violent mads. Walls ofthe room were upholstered with soft felt, at windows lattices. Aheavy door on an iron bolt.

ToAdam made bandaging and left one. He growled, rushed toadoor, bent alattice at awindow. He raved the whole day, and at night so howled that gave the creeps even the hospital attendants who got used toeverything.

Bythe morning it ceased. But when it was given toadoor window abreakfast, without deciding toenter still, he only drank several drinks oftea, and the breakfast threw out inacorridor.

Adam shouted and as the animal inacage, went, without ceasing for aminute, heaved adeep sigh and from time totime loudly and lingeringly shouted, calling Desdemona, Anatole, Dzhipsi Sometimes called also Likorn.

It was one, absolutely one inthis close box where there was so not enough air for his lungs and where the sun only through thick rods ofalattice looked, casting from it atrellised shadow on awhite wall.

For the third day Adam calmed down. It ceased togo. Sat down on afloor inacorner, aback tolight, put achin on the raised knees and as if stiffened. It touched nobody any more. Toit doctors and scientists entered, but he sat silently, not answering questions and without moving. And still ate nothing, but greedy drank.

Adam began togrow thin extraordinary quickly. Inthe evenings it began tobe inafever. He sat, knocking teeth, covered cold then. Cough began totorment him soon, and during fits ofcoughing blood even more often began tobe shown.

Doctors swung the heads:

Transient consumption These mountain inhabitants so difficult adapt toair ofvalleys

One night after the most severe fit ofcoughing blood suddenly rushed from his throat and filled inall half ofthe room. Adam fell toafloor. He died

When he recovered after afaint, he quietly and hoarsely asked the doctor:

There  And he showed the door.

The doctor understood. Adam wants on air. Perhaps, last time tolook at the sky. He choked. But unless it is possible totake out the heavy pulmonary patient incrude autumn night on air, under adrizzle!

The doctor negatively shook the head.

Adam looked at him with plaintive eyes ofthe dyingdog.

No, no. Toyou it is harmful, Adam  And, having addressed the hospital attendant, the doctor gave an order: Apillow with oxygen

Oxygen prolonged Adams tortures till the morning. Inthe morning when the pale beam ofthe sun lit awhite wall, having drawn on it with ashadow awindow lattice, something like asmile, same pale as abeam, flashed on Adams lips. It began an agony. He occasionally cried out some unclear words He did not pronounce any French word.

At ten hours twenty minutes mornings Adam died. And at one oclock inthe afternoon the official notice that Adam needs tobe discharged from hospital as it is decided tosend it tothe Himalayas was received



* **



After all he well made that he hurried todie without hiding joy, the anatomist said, starting anatomization ofacorpse ofAdam.

Any corpse was not so carefully prepared. Everything was measured, weighed, carefully recorded. Opening gave alot ofextremely interesting. Apendix was very big sizes. Muskulus erectus cocigum was clearly allocated, muscles ofears were very developed. Brain About Adams brain professor Likorn wrote the whole volume. Adams skeleton was carefully built, placed inaglass show-window and put inthe museum with an inscription:

HOMO HIMALAJUS

Inthe first days inthe museum at ashow-window with Adams skeleton crowded tomany people. Among visitors curious looks marked out Clotilda de Troyes and the famous actress

Adam stopped being dangerous tocultural society and began toserve science




IDIOPHONE





I


The investigator Paolo Minetti carelessly threw eye-glasses on the opened business, carried out bythe left palm on ahigh forehead, the aquiline nose acting from red, thick cheeks and clamped the turning gray small beard.

Take awayit!.

Three carabineers, with checkers bare, inablack form with red edgings and inthe cocked hats decorated with feathers took away the arrested the young man inaworking suit, with asuntanned face on which the prison already put agrayish raid.

Having remained one, the investigator slowly lit along sigarette, drank from aglass ice water with red wine and wearily looked inawindow. The window lattice stood out on the sparkling surface ofthe Mediterranean Sea clearly. Inthe distance the Pisa hills became blue.

Minetti brushed away the flies who chose his moist forehead and annoyancely grunted.

Already two weeks as sits inthis hole Voltaire, caused here for interrogation offive defendants placed inthe local prison similar tothe medieval castle with chambers cages for solitary confinement.

Minetti, the inveterate theater-goer and the passionate fan ofmusic, was upset up tothe soul depth when he was called from Livorno inthe heat oftours ofthe Milan opera here.

But, having examined business, he was consoled. Business was interesting and promised for his career inacase ofasuccessful outcome much.

For it was already honor that charged tocarry on the investigation toit. Loud political process was coming.

At journey ofthe Italian prime minister on the car through Siena init the shot from crowd which did not do harm was made. The police ofpublic safety which appeared intime on the scene arrested, on suspicion, five people and seized amaterial evidence the revolver thrown on the earth. But who exactly made ashot, it was not succeeded tofind out. At anybody ofarrested ofweapon it was not found.

It was not succeeded toestablish also accessories any ofthem tosome criminal political organization.

It is clear, that at such provision ofbusiness it was impossible tobring charge toall five. It was necessary toget more weighty proofs byall means. But how?. Personal recognition would be best ofall. However, despite all the experience, on all professional tricks and tricks, Minetti could not achieve recognition. All five arrested categorically denied the participation inattempt at life ofthe prime minister and at the same time watched at the investigator such innocent eyes that he flew into arage.

Or all ofthem are cunning fellows and shot five together from one revolver, or or the sixth shot, the devil all ofthem apobera!. Minetti muttered, having remained one ambassador ofinterrogation.

Time went The going on tour troupe left Livorno long ago, but the hell with her another will arrive. The fourteenth day passed also fruitlessly, as well as thirteen previous, however, not absolutely so. This day from Rome the inquiry was sent whether Minetti will complete the investigation soon and will submit the case toTribunal.

It is already worse. One more such inquiry, and Minetti can withdraw, and tosend other investigator tohis place. And then farewell dreams ofthe transfer toRome or Turin It is good if do not transfer with decrease, toKalta-nizetta somewhere yet or Sassari where you will be bored todeath

From one this thought ofMinetti felt that he begins migraine.

It is necessary towork quickly, resolutely.

Oh, damned flies!. The investigator took out ared fulyarovy scarf and threw with it the head. Idiophone!. he spoke, smiled tosome thought and negatively shook the head.

The scarf thrown over the head reminded him the story ofthe old inspector ofprison that the local candidate for judicial positions, signor Berichi, invented the device bymeans ofwhich it is possible tolisten toothers thoughts an idiophone.

The metal cap from which go awire tophone is put on the head

The nonsense is some! spoke aloud Minetti. And however, than Irisk? Though Iwill have agood time alittle. Grew dull absolutely! And it, having called the inspector ofprison, asked toinvite signor Berichi with his device.




II


Signor Berichi did not keep itself waiting long. Inhalf an hour the door with noise revealed, and tothe room the inventor ofan idiophone with asac inhands ranin.

Minetti expected tosee the silent, concentrated person, one ofthose maniacs who puzzle over aquadrature ofacircle or invent the perpetual motion machine. But before it span cheerful, live as amonkey, the dark-haired, curly Neapolitan. Whether it is amistake?

However the guest hurried todisseminate doubts ofthe investigator.

Iam very glad toget acquainted  that!. Here mine child.

And, having strong shaken hands the investigator, smiling from ear toear, sparkling white teeth, for aminute without stopping, Berichi began totake out idiophone from asac.

There is ametal cap It is put on the head ofthe person, whose thoughts you want tolearn. Very useful piece for investigators and jealous husbands. Iwill declare the patent and Iwill put tomyself inapocket one million liras!.

At the same time Berichi so derisively shchurit eyes that it was impossible tounderstand whether he speaks seriously or mystifies, wishing toplay acheerful joke.

Minetti did not manage tosqueeze any word, and Berichi continued tocrack as arecord player which plate rotates with extraordinary speed.

You probably know, signor Minetti that, on the last scientific researches, our nervous system and abrain are the transformer ofelectromagnetic waves. Result ofwork ofabrain our thought radiates special electrowaves. It is only necessary tocatch them and tomake the return transformation ofelectrowaves inathought, inthe sounding thoughts if you want. Ametal cap the receiver. This box the amplifier ofthe electromagnetic oscillations made byathought, and this box the return transformer. Here electrowaves are made out inasound thought. And this reception phone. It is clear, how new moon, isnt thatso?

Minetti vaguely lowed.

Allow tomake experience Ialready disposed tobring one offive arrested, byname the Sell here.

And, without expecting the answer, Berichi opened adoor and shouted:

Enter!

Carabineers entered the arrested.

Berich rushed on an office, placing furniture and fitting the device.

Minetti with agrimace ofmistrust monitored all this vanity. He already regretted the invention tohave agood time an idiophone.

Take seat on this chair Berichi addressed the arrested we will put on toyou the head this beautiful hat now and we will start up the smallest electric current.

The prisoner shuddered. His face turned pale.

From what it atime he answered inItaly without court execute people electricity?.

Berich loudly burst out laughing.

Anything similar! And he put on tohimself the head ametal cap. Here you look. This piece is so safe for life as your own head ofhear. It is the new device bymeans ofwhich it is possible tolisten toyour thoughts. And if you are innocent, then have toagree toexperience willingly: we will immediately be convinced that your conscience is true as sterilized milk.

Sell interrogatively looked at the investigator.

Iwarrant you, the Sell that your life out ofdanger Minetti unsteadily spoke. Totell the truth, this minute he doubted safety ofexperience, but torecede was late.

Sell thought and, having waved ahand, took seat inachair.

Berich were quickly put on the prisoners head byametal cap and something was turned inone ofboxes. Hum ofthe induction coil was heard. Easy current spread as atouch ofant legs, on the prisoners head. Asell shuddered and frowned.

It is not sick? Even it is pleasant, isnt that so? Also protects the head from flies. Here so. And Iwill take seat here, for you, Iwill listen inphone and towrite down your innocent thoughts. You sit absolutely quietly and think about what you want.

And the inventor ofan idiophone took seat inachair with telephone earphones on the head and with apencil and anotebook inhands.




III


There came terrible silence. The silence was broken only byhum ofthe induction coil. Minetg and carabineers with alarm monitored experience.

Inafew minutes the Sell got used tothe current passing on the head and almost did not feel it any more. But he began totest something more painful soon: fear toruin itself acareless thought. He was exhausted from internal fight. Byextraordinary effort ofwill he tried todistract the thoughts from dangerous memoirs. But the rebellious thought came back tothese forbidden places ofmemory as amoth toacandle flame which will burn its wings sooner or later

Invain Iagreed thought the Sell as if Iwas not tricked. Ah, devil take it!. If they hear my thoughts, so they already heard that Iam afraid toget on their rod. What if they consider it for recognition offault?. Nonsenses! What here recognition?. And there is no fault. However it is necessary tothink ofsomething another Clouds Here behind awindow, inthe sky, clouds float Iwill think ofthem. Clouds clouds But Ican think that Ishot, it is simple tothink: Ishot. It is only athought! It is everyone can think. Really these words Ialready accused myself?.

From nervous tension, from ametal cap on the head, hot from aheat, and tiresome tickling ofelectric current at the Sell the head was turned and on all body the perspiration acted. He did not get used tooperate the thoughts, usually they floated at him atrain as achain ofclouds. And here it was necessary towatch himself all the time, tothink oftothinking ofashot inSiena It was over its forces.

Nonsense, nonsense! Iwill consider. Time, two, three The prime minister went inthe black car with the fat secretary four, five Disguised detectives represented the people welcoming the favourite leader six, seven again Ithink ofit! Well, and that from this?. Iincidentally was inthe scene!. And then, it is only athought Anjelica  suddenly unexpectedly thought the Sell ofthe wife. As she worries!. And Mikuel is probably happy. It remained tome has to. Just about, Iwill think ofthe.

But inafew minutes his thoughts soared over the fatal area inSiena again.

Suddenly the Sell it seemed that he invented very witty way offight against the enemy overhearing his thoughts.

Hey, you, signor! Listen!. Ishot, Idid not shoot. Write down if you want, but write down everything! What, was taken?.

Sell smiled. It became cheerful.

If you want, the signor, Iwill mentally sing toyou asong:



If the grief gnaws heart,



Drain aglass ofwine!



The old friend it will help,



The leu is fuller, bottoms up!.



He mentally sang, and under words ofacheerful song is imperceptible for him as the black snake among flowers, crawled adangerous thought

The bullet passed on only one finger over the prime ministers head She got toashow-window ofshop and made around hole inglass. Any crack The prime minister leaned back on aback ofthe car and, having turned pale, looked at the fat secretary Someones hands seized me byshoulders

Sell suddenly grew cold with horror when noticed this black snake offorbidden memoirs. He wanted tolull asong attention ofthe enemy, but lulled own into afalse sense ofsecurity. For the first time for all life he noticed that inabrain several whole trains ofideas can proceed at the same time. One ofthem as the ships lit with the sun floating on asmooth surface ofthe sea proceed inthe light ofour consciousness. And others, like deep-water fishes, slide imperceptibly indepth and agloom ofsubconscious life. Instead ofone enemy, there was several their one whole train ofideas thousands ofchains ofthoughts which it is impossible tofollow That if everything them can be overheard this devilish device?.

Sell grew cold. He gritted the teeth and could not constrain groan. Its nervous tension was ready topass into afit ofhysteria. He already wanted toshout: It is enough! Iam guilty! it is tostop this torture rather.

And, as soon as he thought ofit, hum ofthe induction coil suddenly stopped.

Well, well, it is enough! he heard the voice ofBerichi which became suddenly dry and official.

Unfortunately, you were not so innocent During this time, as Ilistened toyour thoughts, you more than once, not two and not three gave yourself, though tried todistract the thoughts from dangerous reminiscence Desire tosign the application that you plead guilty toattempt!

Sell, wandering eyes, made the signature the shivering hand and, being unsteady, left an office.




IV


Minetg rushed toBerichi and embracedit.

Ingeniously! Amazingly! You rendered me and justice extraordinary service. Iam infinitely grateful toyou though, ofcourse, my gratitude is insignificant incomparison with the fact that it expects you Iadmit, Ivery much doubted, butnow

Did not allow it tofinish speaking Berich. All its humour and cheerfulness returned tothe inventor ofidiophone. With dexterity ofamonkey he slipped out embraces ofMinetgi and, having squinted cunning left eye, asked:

And now you trust inmy invention?

And again, without having allowed tofinish speaking tothe investigator, he began tochatter:

And it is vain! Absolutely invain! My secret is invented not byme. It is invented very long time ago bythat which the first shouted: On the villain the cap burns! Unless this proverb, indifferent options, does not exist at all people hundreds ofyears?. And so, I, on fashion ofthe twentieth century, embellished acap which on the villain burns only electric finishing!

Minetti was struck and disappointed.

Means, there is no invention?

Well, not absolutely so. We nevertheless managed toachieve consciousness bymeans ofthis invention. But it is only agame on psychology! Try tobecome inacorner not tothink ofaleopard. You will not manage it. Well, and for the Sell such leopard is his crime. He could not but think ofhim. Sure that all his thoughts are recognized, the criminal considered themselves caught what he undersigned for. Simply?.




V


Despite all severity ofthe prison mode, amessage about the recognition ofthe Sell got bymeans ofsome device it became known toall for the prisoner soon.

And when brought four arrested on the case ofattempt at the prime minister into an office ofthe investigator todeclare it that they are free one ofthem approached the investigator and firmly told:

Ido not belong tothose simpletons who confess, at least oftheir wine and was not still proved. But Inot from those which because ofthe skin allow tosuffer for myself innocent. Asell he is absolutely innocent. He confessed only because you drove it crazy your foolish device. Ishot at the prime minister and Iwill shoot once again if the case is presented. And only Ione have tobear the answer.

Berich which was present at the same time involuntarily reddened.

But Minetgi only with agood-natured sneer looked at him. Yes, invention ofBerichi is not absolutely ideal. The cap was capable toburn on the head not only the villain and nearly ruined the innocent. But unless the court can exist without miscarriages ofjustice?. The main thing was made: responsible is found, and Minetgi waited for increase.

And what way it was reached whether everything is equal?. If only this way brought it into Rome!.




NEITHER LIFE, NOR DEATH





I.MR.CARLSON OFFERS THEPLAN


What you on it will tell? Mr. Carlson asked, having ended astatement ofthe project.

The large coalman Gilbert answered nothing. It was inthe nastiest mood. Before the arrival ofCarlson the executive director told him that the situation on coal mines is worse than ever. Export falls. The Soviet oil more and more forces out competitors on Asian and even on European the markets. Banks refuse the credit. The government finds impossible further subsidizing ofthe large-scale coal industry. Workers worry, defiantly impose impracticable requirements, threaten toflood mines. It is necessary tofind which exit.

And at this moment as though derisively, the destiny sends some Carlson with his mad project.

Gilbert frowned the red eyebrows and rumpled long yellowish teeth an aromatic sigarette. On his shaved worried look expression ofboredom stiffened. He was silent.

But Carlson not from those who are discouraged bysilence. An uncertain profession and an unknown origin, the little, fussy man with the Irish accent, ashort nose, black hair standing as at ahedgehog, Carlson stuck the sharp eyes into the tired, faded Gilberts eyes and drilled them the persistent uneasy thought.

What you on it will tell? he repeated the question.

It is the devils work, some frozen human flesh at last Gilbert apathetically answered and with afastidious mine put asigarette.

Allow! Allow! jumped, as on aspring, Carlson. You, obviously, acquired toyourself my idea insufficiently?.

Iadmit, Ihave no special desire and toacquire. It is nonsense or madness.

Not madness, not nonsense, but the greatest invention which inskillful hands will bring tothe person millions! And if you doubt, then allow you toremind history ofthis invention.

And Carlson began tochatter as though he answered the learned lesson:

Anabiosis is incidentally opened bythe Russian scientist Bakhmetyev. Studying temperature ofinsects, this scientist noticed that at gradual cooling the body temperature ofan insect falls, then, reaching temperature minus nine and three tenth degrees Celsius, rise almost tozero at once, and then again falls already toambient temperature, approximately bytwenty two degrees below zero. And then the insect falls into astrange state neither adream, nor death: all vital processes stop, and the insect can lie, the okochenely and frozen, vaguely long time. But rather carefully and gradually towarm up an insect, and it comes tolife and continues tolive indifferently. From insects Bakhmetyev passed tofishes. It froze, for example, acrucian who lay inan okocheneniye, or anabiosis as Bakhmetyev called this state, several months. Warmed up, it returned tolife and floated, as always.

The death ofthe scientist interrupted these interesting experiments, and forgot about them soon. And, as it often happens, Russians invent, and others use fruits oftheir inventions.

Remember Yablochkov, remember the inventor ofradio telegraph Popov, remember, at last, Tsiolkovsky So was and this time. German Shteyngauz for practical purposes used Bakhmetyevs invention: transportations and storages oflive fish. As you know, he acquired millions!

Gilbert became interested and listened toCarlson already with some attention.

Ithank you for alecture he told. Ireceive toatable the fresh fish hooked inthe remote seas. But, toadmit, Iwas not interested inway ofits freezing. This or that whether everything is equal? If only fish was absolutely fresh. And, you speak, Shteyngauz earned millions from this business?

Tens, hundreds ofmillions! It now one ofthe richest people ofGermany!

Gilbert thought.

But it is only fishes he told after apause and you offer absolutely improbable thing: tofreeze people! Whether it is possible?

Perhaps! Now it is possible! Bakhmetyev froze the animals who are exposed tohibernation, so-called cold blooded: groundhog, hedgehog, bat. As for warm-blooded animals, it did not manage tosubject them toanabiosis. However the Russian scientist, professor Wagner famous for the victory over adream invented away tochange composition ofblood ofwarm-blooded animals, bringing closer them toblood ofcold blooded animals. And it managed tofreeze and recover amonkey already safely.

But not the person?

What difference?

Gilbert discontentedly shook the head, and Carlson smiled.

Ispeak only from the point ofview ofbiology and physiology. At monkeys composition ofblood, absolutely identical with the person. Absolutely identical. And here toyou extraordinary, but quite feasible prospects: mass freezing ofpeople, inthis case   unemployed. Who does not know what whether the emergency is endured bythe coal industry and one coal? Periodic crises and the unemployment accompanying them, unfortunately, constant disaster ofour social order. On it any trouble-makers like communists predicting death ofcapitalism from the internal contradictions which are tearing apart it play. Let them do not hurry tobury capitalism! Capitalism will find away out, and one ofexits is the way offered byme!

Crisis will burst and we will freeze the unemployed and we will fold them inspecial glaciers. And passes crisis, demand for working hands will appear, we will warm up them, and welcome tothe mine.

Carlson was inspired and spoke, how on atribune.

Ha-ha-ha! Gilbert did not keep. Yes you joker, Mr.?.

Carlson. And Ispeak absolutely seriously Carlson took offense. This person began tooccupy Gilbert.

Yes continuing tolaugh, the coalman told there are such nasty times when, apparently, and willingly would freeze itself about the best days! But will cost how many your mad project? It is necessary tobuild special buildings, tomaintain special temperature inthem!

Carlson raised afinger up, then put it tothe prickly head ofhear.

Here everything is considered! My plan is simpler! Toyou as tothe owner ofmines, it has tobe known that warmth increases approximately byone degree with each seventy feet inEarth depth. You also know that the richest deposits ofthe splendid coal are found inGreenland, behind the Polar circle, inHumboldts glaciers. As soon as the coal market gets stronger, you will be able tobegin development there. You receive anumber ofmines ofvarious depth with various temperature. And this temperature will remain invariable years there at all times. It is necessary only toenter small amendments toadapt mines for our purposes. Iwill not complicate you astatement ofdetails now, but Ican submit when you order, quite developed technical plan and the estimate.

That for the funny person Gilbert thought and asked Carlson aquestion:

Tell, please and you who: engineer, scientist, professor?

Iam aschemer! Scientists and professors are able tosit out fine eggs inthe laboratories, but they are not always able tobreak them and tomake fried eggs! It is necessary tobe able from the immaterial ideas totake material pounds sterling.

Gilbert smiled and, having thought alittle, stretched toCarlson abox with cigarettes.

Victory Carlson exulted insoul, lighting acigarette the electric lighter standing on atable. But Gilbert did not give upyet.

Lets say that all this is possible. However Iexpect anumber ofobstacles. The first: whether we will get permission ofthe government?

And why and not togive tothe government this permission if we prove full safety ofapplication topeople ofanabiosis? Social value ofthis measure will perfectly consider our government.

Yes, it so Gilbert answered, turning over inthe mind members ofthe conservative government whose most had personal large interests inthe coal industry.

But most important question: whether workers will go toit? Whether they will agree tofade periodically for the period ofunemployment?

Will agree! The need will force! with conviction Carlson told. People with hunger are hung up, burn, and here like rest! Ofcourse, it was able toapproach it is necessary. First ofall it is necessary tofind daredevils who would agree tosubject themselves toanabiosis. This should promise the first the large amounts ofremuneration. When they revive, they should use as advertizing. Then at first it will be necessary topromise monetary support tofamilies. But ofcourse, it is necessary tostop up athroat and tosome ofthe working aristocracy consisting inleaders ofso-called labor movement. And further you will see that further everything will go like clockwork. The unemployed will be frozen bythe whole families. And the terrible evil unemployment will be destroyed. At you will be given afree hand. Extraordinary prospects will open for you! Millions, tens ofmillions will begin toflow inyour safes and fireproof cases! Decide! Tell yes, and Iwill submit you all estimates, plans and calculations tomorrow.

The common practical sense said toGilbert that all this fantastic plan was apure gamble. But Gilbert endured such financial position when the person before fear ofinevitable crash rushes tothe ventures. And Carlson drew such tempting prospects! The large businessman and the businessman was ashamed toadmit tohimself that it as he drowning, is ready tograsp this chimerical straw offrozen human flesh.

Your project is too unusual. Iwill think and Iwill give you the answer!.

Think, think! willingly Carlson agreed, rising from achair. Ido not dare todetain you and it left, smiling enough. Pecks! cheerfully he shouted, being dipped into the bubbling copper oftraffic ofCity.




II.STRANGE CLIENT


Carlson, you ruined me! with asour mine Gilbert spoke. Ispent enormous funds for the equipment underground . Ithrow money for advertizing and our announcements. And nevertheless for all month ofanewspaper campaign any person wishing tosubject himself tothe first public experience offreezing despite the good remuneration offered byus was not. Obviously, life ofworkers is not so bad, Carlson as socialists shout ofit! And eventually, if anabiosis such safe piece why toyou, Carlson not tosubject itself tothe first experience?

Me?

Well,you!

Me? once again Carlson asked and tousled the shchetinisty hair. Iam ready! Yes, yes! Iam ready! But what will become with all business? It will fall asleep together with me! No, lulling others, somebody should be awake! Iam aschemer! Without such as I, the whole world would plunge into anabiosis hibernation!

Their altercations were stopped byknock ofan entrance door. The office included extraordinary lean person with the scarf which is reeled up around along neck. Bythe light ofastrong lamp big round points ofthe visitor sparkled as automobile headlights. He cleared the throat and stretched issue ofthe newspaper.

Iaccording tothe announcement. Hello! May Iintroduce myself. Eduard Lesley, astronomer.

Carlson was driven byasphere tothe visitor.

Are very glad toget acquainted with you! Iask tosit down! You wish tosubject yourself toexperience? Our conditions are known toyou? We will pay you the considerable sum and we will provide afamily with lifelong pension inacase um But ofcourse, this case will not occur!.

It is not necessary! Khe-khe Remuneration is not necessary. My name, apparently, says enough that Ido not need money. Lesley frowned. At me another toakhe-kha, damned cough

From the scientific purposes, so tospeak?

Yes, scientific, but only not ofwhat you, probably, think. Iam an astronomer as told you. Iwrote big work about group Leonid which fell inNovember from the Leo constellation

Lesley has again afit ofcoughing, having grasped with ahand abreast. Having cleared the throat, he quickened and suddenly with great feeling started talking:

This group was observed byHumboldt inSouth America inone thousand seven hundred ninety ninth. It perfectly described this wonderful heavenly phenomenon. Then Leonida approached Earth inthe one thousand eight hundred thirty third or one thousand eight hundred sixty sixth. Waited for them through the usual period oftime inthirty three thirty four years, inone thousand eight hundred ninety ninth. But here tothem there was misfortune Da-with, misfortune! They too close approached the planet Jupiter which attraction rejected them from ausual orbit, and now they pass the way at distance oftwo million kilometers from Earth so they are almost invisible tous

Lesley made apause again toclear the throat.

Carlson for along time expressing impatience tried touse this pause.

Allow, dear professor, but what relation the falling Leonidas stars, the Leo constellation and Jupiter have toour enterprise?

Lesley pulled along neck and with some irritation tutorially noticed:

Have patience tolisten tothe end, the young man! And it, having defiantly turned on achair, addressed Gilbert: Iam busy with difficult calculations about which Iwill not speak indetail. These calculations are connected with destiny ofgroup Leonid. Accuracy ofmy calculations is challenged bymy respectable colleague Zauyer

Gilbert exchanged glances with Carlson. Whether they deal with the maniac?

This eye was caught byLesley, and, with irritation having pulled aneck, it ended the speech, having sent the round points toaceiling as if calibrating the thoughts tothesky:

Iam sick the last stage oftuberculosis.

But you at the wrong door addressed, dear professor! Carlson told.

Tothe address! All right with tolisten tothe end. Iam sick and Iwill die soon. And the next emergence Leonid inthe field ofour sight can be expected only inone thousand nine hundred thirty third. Iwill not live up tothis time. Meanwhile Ican prove the case tothe scientific world only as aresult ofadditional observations. And here Iask you tosubject me toanabiosis and toreturn tolife inone thousand nine hundred thirty third, then toship inanabiosis again, awakening inone thousand nine hundred sixty fifth, then inone thousand nine hundred ninety eighth and, at last, intwo thousand twenty first. It is clear? And Lesley filled the eyepieces on interlocutors.

Absolutely it is clear! Gilbert answered. But, dear professor, bythen your scientific opponent can die and you will have nobody toprove your case!

We, astronomers, live ineternity! with pride Lesley answered.

All this is very entertaining Carlson told. Isee that anabiosis very good thing for astronomers. You, for example, can ask towake you when the Sun goes out tocheck fidelity ofyour calculations. But we not astronomers are interested closer future. Now we need only experience as proof ofthe fact that anabiosis is absolutely harmless and safe for life. Therefore we stipulate that stay inanabiosis did not last more than amonth. Second condition: processes ofimmersion inanabiosis and returns tolife have tohappen publicly.

Iagree toit. But month does not suit me at all! And the upset Lesley began totie ascarf around the long neck.

Allow Gilbert stopped it. We could make so: we awaken you inamonth, and then we immerse you inanabiosis on any toyou time again!

Perfectly! the pleased Lesley exclaimed. Iam ready!

You have tosign anumber ofobligations and statements that you ofown will subject yourself toanabiosis and you have no claims tous incase ofafailure. It only for formality, but nevertheless

He agrees, agrees toeverything! Here toyou my hand! Report when Iam necessary toyou! And the pleased Lesley quickly left office

Well? Pecked? Carlson repeated the favourite expression when Lesley left, and tapped ofGilbert on the shoulder. Gilbert frowned from this familiarity.

Not absolutely the fact that it is necessary for us. Here if tosteam ofworkers who would trumpet then inmines.

There will be also workers! Patience, my young friend as this astronomer speaks!

It is possible toenter? At adoor ofoffice the shaggy head was pushed.

Please, Iaskyou!

The office included the young man inayellow checkered suit. Having made theatrical gesture awide-brimmed hat, the stranger was introduced:

. Frenchman. Poet.

And, without expecting areciprocal greeting, it drawlingly began:



Was tired oftorment ofexpectation,



Was tired tochase adream,



Was tired ofhappiness and suffering,



Iwas tired tobe oneself.



Tofall asleep and sleep, without wakening,



That toforget about itself



And, the last sinking into asleep,



Not toknow, not tofeel, not tolive.



Freeze! Gotov.



Let hot Igetdown



My corpse cold will recover!



You give money now or after awakening?

Later!

He does not agree! The devil only knows, whether you revive me. Money for abarrel. ToKutn last time, and there do that want!

Gilbert was interested inthis funny shaggy poet.

Ican give you inthe advance payment five pounds sterling. It will suityou?

At the poet ofan eye sparkled hungry gloss. Five pounds!  good English pounds! Tothe person who ate sonnets and triolets!

Ofcourse! Sold soul tothe devil and it is ready tosign with blood the contract!

When the poet left, Carlson snatched on Gilbert:

You reproach me that Iruin you, and throw money down the drain. Why you gave advance payment? You do not see what the bird is? Ibet for five pounds that it will not return!

Iaccept! Lets look! However today happy day! Look, still someone!

The office included gracefully dressed youngman.

May Iintroduce myself: Lesley!

One more Lesley! Really all Lesley take liking toanabiosis? Carlson exclaimed. Lesley smiled.

Iwas not mistaken. Means, the uncle already was. Iam Arthur Lesley. Mine the uncle, Eduard Lesley, professor ofastronomy, told me aregrettable message about what wants tosubject itself toexperience ofanabiosis

And Ibelieved that you wish tobe influenced bythis useful experience! Think, you will become one ofthe most fashionable people inLondon! Carlson fished around.

But this time fish did not peck.

Ido not need so extravagant ways ofpopularity with modest pride the young man spoke.

Inthat case you are afraid for the uncle? Absolutely invain! His life is not exposed the slightest danger!

Really? with great interest Arthur Lesley inquired.

You can be quiet!

Any danger! quietly Lesley spoke, and toCarlson was heard that even more quietly Lesley added: It is apity. And whether it is impossible todissuade the uncle from this experience? He tubercular, and at weakness ofhis health hardly he is fit for experience. You risk and can only compromise your business.

We are so sure ofsuccess that we do not see any risk.

Listen! Iwill pay you. Iwill well pay if you refuse the uncle as object ofyour experience!

We do not go for bribery Gilbert put inaward. But if you tell the reason, then, maybe, we also will meet requirements ofyou.

ToPrichin? E-e it so ticklish property

We are able tobe silent!

As it is unpleasant, but Ihave tobe frank You see my uncle is rich, scary rich. And I his only heir. The uncle is hopelessly sick. Doctors say that his days are numbered. Perhaps, only afew months separate me from wealth. It as is impossible more bythe way; Ihave the bride. And at this moment your announcement comes across toit, and it decides tosubject itself (himself) toanabiosis and tofall asleep nearly for hundred years, wakening from time totime only tolook at some falling stars! Understand my position. Cannot approve court me inthe rights ofinheritance until the uncle is inanabiosis!

Ofcourse,no!

Here you see! But then farewell inheritance! It will be received bymy prapraprapravnuk!

We can freeze also you together with your uncle. And you will lie amummy before receiving inheritance.

Ithank you! So you will risk tolie toaworld skonchaniye. So, you refuse todeal with the uncle?

It would be strange torefuse from our party after ourselves published the announcement ofthe hunters call.

Your last word?

Last word!

That it is worse for you! And, having slammed the door, Arthur Lesley left.




III.INCONSOLABLE NEPHEW


The first experiment ofanabiosis ofthe person is decided tobe conducted inLondon, inspecially employed room, publicly. Broad advertizing attracted tothe huge white hall ofthe numerous audience. Inspite ofthe fact that the hall was crowded, artificially maintained temperature init below zero. Not tomake an unpleasant impression on public, operation ofinjection inblood ofthe person ofspecial structure byit decided tomake for giving ofproperty ofblood ofcold blooded animals inthe special room where only the family and friends ofthe persons which were exposed toexperience could have access.

Eduard Lesley was as usual with an astronomical accuracy, on the dot, exactly at twelve oclock inthe afternoon. Carlson was frightened,  ofhim before the astronomer grew thin. The feverish flush covered his cheeks. At each breath the Adams apple convulsively moved on athin neck, and on ascarf which professor brought toamouth during fits ofcoughing, Carlson noticed blood drops.

The bad beginning Carlson thought, conducting the astronomer under ahand tothe certain room.

After Eduard Lesley there was anephew with aface ofthe heart-broken relative who is seeing off the beloved uncle at the cemetery.

The crowd greedy examined the astronomer. Cameras ofreporters ofnewspapers clicked.

The office door was closed behind Lesley. And the public inimpatient expectation began toexamine scaffolds as called someone standing highly inthe middle ofthe hall ofdevice for anabiosis.

These scaffolds reminded enormous aquariums with double glass walls. It were two glass boxes enclosed one inanother. The box, smaller bythe sizes, served for the room ofthe person, and between walls ofboth boxes there was adevice for fall oftemperature.

One scaffold intended for Lesley, another for Mere which with poetic inaccuracy was late.

While doctors prepared inan office for operation and listened topulse and heart at Lesley, Carlson several times inimpatience ran inthe hall tocope whether Mere came.

Here you see! Carlson shouted, for the third time running inan office and addressing Gilbert. Iwas right.  wasnot.

Gilbert shrugged shoulders.

But at this moment the office door with noise revealed, and on athreshold the poet appeared. His face and clothes bore obvious traces ofviolently spent night. The wandering eyes, asilly smile and staggering gait said that night waste still far did not evaporate from his head.

Carlson with anger snatched toMere:

Listen, tothis disgrace! You are drunk!

 grinned, rocking extensively.

At us inFrance he answered there is acustom: toexecute the last will doomed todeath and totreat him before an execution dishes and wines what only he will wish. And many, going todeath, todeath also get drunk. You want tofreeze me. It neither life, nor death. Therefore Ialso drank from the middle on ahalf: neither it is drunk, nor is sober.

This conversation was interrupted with unexpected shout ofthe surgeon:

Wait! Give fresh solution! Pour init inthe new sterilizedmug!

Carlson looked back. Half-naked Eduard Lesley sat on awhite chair, panting ahollow breast. The surgeon clamped tweezers already opened vein.

You see the surgeon was nervous, addressing the sister ofmercy helping him who highly held aglass mug with chemical solution liquid dimmed! Give other solution. Liquid has tobe absolutely pure.

Quickly brought tothe sister alarge bottle with solution and anew mug. Injection was made.

How do you feel?

Ithank you the astronomer answered it is tolerant.

After Lesley Mere underwent operation ofinjection.

Inthe light clothes made ofmatter which is freely passing heat them entered into the hall.

The uneasy crowd became silent. On the put ladder ofLesley and Mere ascended toscaffolds and laid down inthe glass coffins. And here, already lying on awhite sheet, Mere suddenly recited ahoarse voice an epitaph toScipio ofthe Roman poet Enniya:



That is buried here towhom



Neither citizens, nor strangers



Were unable torender



Abuse, worthyhim.



And after this unexpectedly he snored atired dream ofthe become tipsy person.

Eduard Lesley lay as the dead person. Its features were pointed. He often breathed short sighs.

The surgeon, watching the thermometer, began tocool air between glass walls.

Inprocess offall oftemperature snore ofMere began tocease. Lesleys breath was hardly noticeable.  time or two moved with ahand and calmed down. Eyes remained half-open with Lesley. At last breath stopped at both, and at Lesley eyes grew dim. At the same moment glass covers were pulled over coffins. Access ofair was stopped.

Twenty one degrees Celsius. Anabiosis occurred the surgeons voice among complete silence was heard.

The public slowly left the hall.

Gilbert, Carlson and the surgeon passed inan office. The surgeon sat down for some chemical analysis now. Gilbert frowned.

Eventually, all this makes the depressing impression. Iwas right, insisting on giving topublic only an awakening show. This funeral will discourage at anything tosubject themselves toanabiosis. It is good still that this idler Mere brought acomic note inthis funeral chorus.

You are right and are not right, Gilbert Carlson answered. The picture turned out gloomy, it is right. But the crowd has tosee everything from beginning toend, otherwise she will not believe! At our pokoynichok control watch is established. They are open for areview day and night at any time. And if we lost at afuneral, then twice we will win on revival. Iam occupied byanother: operation ofinjection is quite unpleasant and difficult. For mass freezing ofpeople it is unusable. But wrote me that professor Wagner found more simplified way ofthe necessary change ofblood byinhalation ofspecial vapors.

Devil take it! Isuspected it! suddenly the surgeon exclaimed, lifting atest tube with some liquid.

Inwhat business, the doctor?

And the matter is that all our experience and life ofprofessor Lesley hung byathread. As you remember, at injection ofchemical solution Ipaid attention that liquid became muddy. It should not have been at all. Ipersonally made liquid inthe conditions ofabsolute sterility. Now Iwanted toestablish the liquid turbidity reasons.

And what you found? Gilbert asked.

Presence ofhydrocianic acid.

Poison!

One ofthe strongest. Kills instantly, and from it there is no rescue.

But how it got there?

Init all question!

This is Arthur Lesley. Inconsolable nephew ofthe astronomer. You remember, Gilbert, his request and then threat? What villain! And watch what sincere regret played!

When he was able todo it? It seems, it did not approach close devices

Yes the surgeon thoughtfully spoke it is possible that here others are involved. Perhaps, sister ofmercy?.

It is necessary tolet know polices! This crime! the indignant Gilbert exclaimed.

Byno means! Carlson objected. It will only damage tous, especially among workers on whom we finally count. And eventually, what the police can make? Whom can we accuse? Arthur Lesley, interested person? But we have no proofs that he is involved inacrime.

Perhaps, you are right Gilbert thoughtfully spoke. But, inany case, we should be very careful.




IV.RESURRECTION OFTHEDEAD


There passed month. Day ofresurrection ofthe dead came. The public worried. There were disputes whether it will be possible toreturn tolife shipped inanabiosis.

At night on the eve ofrevival the surgeon inthe presence ofGilbert and Carlson examined Lesley and Mere. They lay as the corpses, cold, lifeless.

The surgeon knocked with the doctors hammer on the frozen lips ofthe poet, and blows were accurately carried on the empty hall as though the hammer struck apiece ofatree. Eyelashes became covered with hoarfrost from heat which left abody.

At survey ofabody ofthe astronomer the trained eye ofthe surgeon noticed on anaked hand asmall hillock under skin. At top ofahillock hardly noticeable speck as though from aprick, and below the frozen drop ofsome liquid was seen.

The surgeon disapprovingly shook the head. Having scratched out alancet the frozen drop, the surgeon carefully carried this piece ofice inan office and there subjected it tothe chemical analysis. Carlson and Gilbert watched closely work ofthe surgeon.

Well?

The same! Again hydrocianic acid! Despite all our precautions, Arthur Lesley, apparently, managed toinject insome way under skin ofthe adored uncle several drops oflethal poison!

Gilbert and Carlson were depressed.

Everything died! indespair Gilbert spoke. Eduard Lesley will not wake up more. Our business is hopelessly compromised.

Carlson raged.

Under its court, the villain! Now and Isee that this criminal should be transferred tojustice hands, at least scandal also damaged tous!

The surgeon, having propped up the head ahand, thought ofsomething.

Wait, maybe, still it is lost nothing! at last he started talking. Do not forget that poison was injected under skin ofabsolutely frozen body inwhich all vital processes are suspended. Absorption could not be. Inthe absence ofblood circulation poison could not be carried and bybirth. If poisonous liquid was heated, then it could get inasmall amount under skin which under the influence ofheat became more elastic. But further liquid could not get. You can judge bythe drop which acted inthe place ofaprick that the criminal did not manage toenter asignificant amount.

But and one drop it is enough topoison the person?

Quite right. However we can remove this drop very quietly, having cut out it with ameat piece.

Really you think that the person can remain live after poison was inhis body, perhaps, two-three weeks?

And why is also not present? It is only necessary tocut out more deeply that there is no drop left inabody! Towarm abody, at least partially, risky. It is necessary tomake original cold operation.

And, having taken the hammer and the tool reminding achisel the surgeon went toacorpse and began tocut down ahillock, working as the sculptor over amarble statue. Skin and muscles small frozen splinters ofdrop on abox bottom. Soon inahand small deepening was formed.

Well, apparently, it is enough!

Splinters carefully swept away. Deepening was greased with iodine which immediately froze.

Behind awindow traffic began. The house had already aturn ofexpecting.

Doors opened, and the hall was filled with public.

Exactly at twelve inthe afternoon removed glass covers ofboxes, and the surgeon began toincrease slowly temperature, looking at the thermometer.

Eighteen ten five it is below zero. Zero!. One two five is above zero!. Pause. Hoarfrost on eyelashes ofMere melted and as teardrops, filled corners ofeyes.

The first moved Mere. Tension inthe hall reached the highest degree. And among the come silence ofMere suddenly loudly sneezed. It discharged crowd tension, and it hooted as abeehive.  rose, took seat inthe glass box, yawned and looked at crowd with osolovely eyes.

Good morning! someone playfully welcomed it from crowd.

Ithank you! But Ifatally want tosleep! And he pecked the head.

Inpublic laughter was heard.

Inamonth did not sleep!

Yes it is drunk! voices were heard.

At the time ofimmersion inanabiosis the surgeon loudly explained Mr. Mere was instate ofintoxication. Insuch state overtook its anabiosis which stopped all processes ofan organism. Now, at return tolife, naturally, Mere appeared under the influence ofhop. And as he, obviously, did not sleep at night before anabiosis, he feels requirement ofadream. Anabiosis not adream, and something between adream and life.

Blood! Blood! someones scared female voice was heard. The surgeon looked around. Eyes ofcrowd were turned on Lesleys body. On asleeve ofhis dressing gown the bloody spot acted.

Calm down! the surgeon exclaimed. There is nothing terrible. During anabiosis professor Lesley had toperform the small operation which does not have relations tohis freezing. As soon as blood got warm and blood circulation was resumed, from awound blood acted. Thats all. We will make bandaging now. And, having broken off asleeve ofadressing gown ofLesley, the surgeon quickly bandaged his hand. During Lesleys bandaging recovered.

How do you feel?

Ithank you, well. It seems, it is easier for me tobreathe.

Really, Lesley breathed exactly, without convulsive movements ofabreast.

You saw the surgeon addressed crowd that experience ofanabiosis was successful. Now undergone anabiosis will be examined byspecialists doctors.

Crowd it is noisy dispersed, and Mere and Lesley passed inan office.




V.FAVOURABLE ENTERPRISE


At careful medical examination ofEduard Lesley unexpected consequences ofanabiosis became clear. It turned out that under the influence oflow temperature all tubercular sticks which are insore lungs ofLesley were killed and Eduard Lesley, thus, absolutely recovered from tuberculosis.

However, even at Bakhmetyevs experiences such opportunity was theoretically assumed. But now it was the incontestable fact which brilliantly resolved aquestion offight against tuberculosis, this terrible enemy ofmankind.

Carlson was not mistaken. Eduard Lesley and Mere became the most fashionable people inLondon and around the world. They were interviewed, removed, invited for public statements. The astronomer, though felt absolutely healthy now, was weighed upon this unusual noise. He insisted on that it was subjected toanabiosis till 1933again.

Ishould preserve myself for science he said.

And his desire was granted. It was transported toGreenland. And he the first went down tothe deep Konservatoriuma mines as this underground storage for mass freezing ofpeople was called.

But Mere directly bathed inpopularity waves. It was not satisfied with public statements. He wrote the poetic poem On That Coast ofStyx. He wrote about how his soul, having exempted from fetters ofthe stiffened body, rushed awhirlwind inblue air ofWorld space. She swam on the shining rings ofSaturn. Visited planets ofthe remote stars, where the lilac flower people singing an eternal song ofhappiness grow. It soared inspaces ofthe fourth measurement where objects are measured inwidth, length, depth.

On the earth there is no proper expression wrote Mere and confusedly explained living conditions inthe world ofthe fourth measurement, where there is no time where there are no concepts out of and inside where all objects pronitsat each other, without mixing the forms. He wrote about extraordinary meetings on the Milky Way which is taking away out oflimits ofthe star sky known tous.

Its poem, certainly, did not maintain the slightest scientific criticism: inacondition ofanabiosis he could not even have dreams the frozen brain. But the public greedy tosensations, inclined tomysticism, was fond ofthese fantastic pictures. There were fans ofstrong feelings who wished tobe influenced byfeeling offlight inboundless spaces, plunging into anabiosis. They, ofcourse, felt nothing how they the frozen hulk, but, wakening, supported alie ofMere.

Over any expectation anabiosis brought toGilbert enormous profits. Besides thrill-seekers, toGilbert TB patients were flown down from all over the world. Greenland sanatorium worked perfectly. Patients received full treatment. And soon still new clients increased. The English government recognized more humane and, the main thing, cheap tosubject incorrigible criminals toanabiosis instead oflife imprisonment and the death penalty.

At last, anabiosis was applied totransportation ofthe cattle. Instead ofthe tasteless, frozen inthe usual way meat received from Australia toEngland began todeliver animals inacondition ofanabiosis. They did not need tobe fed on the way, and after asupply tothe place ofthem warmed, recovered; and British received the freshest and cheap meat toatable.

Carlson rubbed hands. On its share aconsiderable part ofthe huge income which was brought inbyanabiosis fell.

Well? he fatly spoke toGilbert. Now you understand that the schemer means? Your money and my projects brought you millions. Without me you would be ruined with your coal mines longago!

Coal mines give me aloss also now Gilbert answered. There is no sale, workers are pig-headed, the government refuses subsidies. Yes, Carlson, life difficult piece! You the good schemer, but life carries out the projects contrary toour desire. We assumed tofreeze the unemployed together with their families, and instead turned our refrigerators into sanatoria and prisons!

Patience! Also workers will come! Now you have spare capitals. Promise good contents tofamilies ofworkers incase the head oftheir family wants tosubject himself toanabiosis. Believe, they will go tothis rod! And when they will get gradually used toanabiosis, it will be possible toreduce the price. Eventually they will ask that they were frozen together with families, if only not tostarve! They will come! The need will tire out! Believe me, they will come!

And they came




VI.INICES OFGREENLAND


Cold autumn wind knocked down. The young miner-coalminer working inthe Cardiff mines, having bent the head, slowly approached the small cottage which was seen through naked branches ofagarden.

Bendzhemin Johnson stood at adoor, deeply sighed before opening it, and, at last, timidly entered the house.

His wife, Frederica Johnson, washed the dishes at abig fireplace. The two-year-old son Samuel already slept.

Frederica interrogatively looked at the husband.

Johnson, without undressing, fell byachair and quietly spoke:

Did notget

The plate slipped out Fredericas hands and with aring fell inawash-tub. She with fear looked back tothe child, but he did not wakeup.

The strike committee has no more means Inabench do not trustfor

Frederica ceased towash the dishes, wiped ahand about an apron and silently sat down toatable, looking inacorner tohide the nervousness from the husband.

Johnson slowly took out from alung pocket not on acoat season the crumpled issue ofthe newspaper and put on atable before the wife.

On here, read.

And Frederica, brushing away atear which dimmed it eyes, read the large announcement:

Five pounds aweek receive families ofthe workers who agreed tooversleep till spring There was an explanation Further what is anabiosis. Frederica already heard about it. Gilberts agents conducted promotion ofanabiosis among workers for along time.

You will not make it! firmly she told We are not the cattle that we were frozen!

City gentlemen do not disdain anabiosis!

With fat your gentlemen rage! They tous not the decree!

Listen, Frederica, but, eventually, init there is nothing neither terrible, nor shameful. Dangers tome any. Inot shtreykbrekherstvy, do not infringe on anybodys interests.

And mine, and your own interests? Same almost death, though for awhile! We have tofight for the right for life, but not rest inbed the frozen hulks until then, dock misters owners will not deign toreviveus!

She got excited and spoke too loudly.

Little Samuel woke up, began tocry and began toask toeat. Frederica took it on hands, began torock tosleep. Johnson with melancholy looked at afair-haired head ofthe son. He so turned pale lately! Poblednela and Frederik

The child fell asleep, and Frederica fell at atable, having hidden the face inhands. It could not constrain tears more.

Bendzhemin stroke-oared rough her fluffy hair, same light as at the son, and it is tender as child, persuaded:

Igrieve about you! Understand! Tomorrow Samuel will have big circles ofthe smoking milk and white loaf, and you on atable will have agood piece ofbeef, potatoes, oil, coffee It is difficult tobe separated, but it only till spring! Apple-trees inour garden will blossom, and Iwill be with you again. Iwill meet you, cheerful, healthy, blossoming as our apple-trees!.

Frederica once again sobbed and stopped.

It is time tosleep,Ben

It is more they about anything did not speak.

But Bendzhemin knew that it agrees. And the next day, having said goodbye tothe wife and the child, it already flew on the passenger airplane toGreenland.

The gray-green veil ofthe Atlantic Ocean was replaced bypolar pictures ofthe North. The ice desert with the mountain tops scattered on it here and there From time totime the airplane flew bylow above the ground, and then owners ofthese desert places polar bears were visible. At the sight ofthe airplane they inhorror rose byracks, stretching paws up, as if asking mercy, then started running away with an unexpected speed.

Johnson involuntarily smiled tothem, envied severe, but their free life.

Inthe distance constructions and airfield seemed.

Arrived!

Further events went extraordinary quickly.

Johnson was invited inKonservatoriuma office where wrote down his surname, the address and supplied with number which was attached toahand inthe form ofabracelet.

Then he went down tounderground rooms.

The underground car flew with terrific speed down, crossing anumber ofhorizontal mines. Temperature gradually increased. Inthe top mines it was much below zero whereas about ten degrees below rose.

The car unexpectedly stopped.

Johnson entered brightly lit room inthe middle ofwhich there was aplatform with four metal ropes going toawide opening inaceiling. On the platform there was alow bed made byawhite sheet. Changed clothes ofJohnson for alight dressing gown and suggested tolay down inabed. Put on amask the person, forcing it tobreathe some couples.

It is possible? he heard avoice ofthe doctor. And the same minute the platform with its bed began torise up. He felt everything the amplifying cold soon. At last cold became intolerable. He tried toshout, descend from the platform, but all members ofhis body as if hardened His consciousness began tobe stirred up. And suddenly he felt how pleasant warmth spreads on his body. But it was delusion which is experienced byall freezing: inthe last effort the organism lifts body temperature before giving all towarmly cold space. Inthis short time ofathought ofJohnson earned with extraordinary speed and clarity. Or rather, it were not thoughts, but bright images. He saw the garden ingold beams ofthe sun, the apple-trees covered influffy white colors, ayellow path on which his little Samuel runs toit towards and after it there is asmiling, young, red-cheeked, blond Frederica

Then everything began togrow dim, and he finally fainted. Insome moment it returned toit, and it opened eyes. Before it, having bent, the young mansat.

How do you feel, Johnson? he asked, smiling.

Ithank you, small weakness inabody, and it is generally quite good Johnson answered, looking around. It lay inthe white, brightly lit room.

Be supported with aglass ofwine and broth, and then tothe road!

Allow, the doctor, and how with anabiosis? He was not successful or inmines workers urgently were required?

The young man smiled.

Iam not adoctor. We will be familiar. My surname Kruks. And he gave toJohnson ahand. Anabiosis was successful, but we still will manage totalk about it. We are waited bythe airplane!

Johnson, being surprised that anabiosis so it is finished soon, quickly put on and rose with Kruks tothe surface.

And Frederica cried probably all night long he thought, smiling toafast meeting.

The entrance toavault had abig passenger airplane. Around the eternal ice desert was spread. There was anight.

The polar lights polosovat the sky sheaves ofbeams ofthe gentle changing coloring.

Johnson, already inawarm fur coat, with pleasure inhaled clean frostyair.

Iwill bring you tothe house! told Kruks, helping Johnson towalk upstairs inacabin.

The airplane quickly rose inair.

Johnson saw the same cross-country terrain, the same frozen craters appearing from time totime for ways as steppe barrows, and the same bears towhom he so envied recently. Here and ancient gray-haired waves ofthe Atlantic Ocean. It is alittle more time, and coast ofEngland heaved insight ingrayfog.

Cardiff mines cozy cottages Here also its white cottage which is buried indense verdure ofagarden is seen. At Johnson heart was strongly clogged. Now he will see Frederica, will take on little Samuels hands and will begin tothrowup.

Still, still! the kid as usual will murmur.

The airplane was made byan abrupt bend and went down on alawn at Johnsons lodge.




VII.RETURN


Johnson inimpatience left acabin.

Air was warm. Having thrown off afur coat, Johnson ran toalodge.  hardly kept up withit.

There was afine autumn evening. The setting sun brightly lit large red apples on garden apple-trees.

However with surprise Johnson said really Ioverslept till fall?

He ran up toafencing ofagarden and saw the son and the wife. Little Samuel sat among autumn flowers and with laughter threw mothers apples. Fredericas face was not visible behind apple-tree branches.

Samuel! Frederica! joyfully Johnson cried and, having jumped through alow fencing, ran through beds towards tothe wife and theson.

But the kid instead ofrushing towards tothe father, began tocry, having taken away the approaching Johnson, and inafright rushed tomother.

Johnson stopped and suddenly uvidat the mistake: it were not Samuel and Frederica though the boy very much resembled his son. Young mother left because ofatree. It was one years with Frederica, same light and ruddy. But hair were more dark. Ofcourse, it is not Frederica! And as soon as he could be mistaken! Possibly, it is one ofneighbors or Fredericas girlfriends.

Johnson slowly approached and bowed. The young woman expectantly looked atit.

Forgive, I, apparently, frightened your son he told, getting accustomed tothe child and being surprised tosimilarity with Itself ale. Frederica ofthe house?

What Frederica? the woman asked.

Frederica Johnson, my wife!

Whether you were mistaken the address? the woman answered. Frederica is not here

Pretty business! That Iwas mistaken inthe address ofown house!

Your house?.

And whose? This confused woman began toirritate Johnson.

On athreshold ofalodge the young man ofyears ofthirty three attracted obviously, seemed noise ofvoices.

Inwhat business, Elaine? he asked, without descending from astep ofaporch and popykhivy ashort tube.

Business is inthat Johnson answeredthat during my absence here, obviously, there were some changes the question turned not toit Others lodged inmy house

Inyour house? derisively the young man standing on aporch asked.

Yes, inmy house! Johnson answered, having waved ahand on the cottage.

With whom Ihave honor tospeak? the young man asked.

Iam Bendzhemin Johnson!

Bendzhemin Johnson? the young man asked again and burst out laughing. You hear, Elaine? he addressed the woman. One more Bendzhemin Johnson and owner ofthis cottage!

Allow toassure you suitable Kruks suddenly put inaward that before you really Bendzhemin Johnson. And he pointed toJohnson byahand.

It becomes entertaining. And with itself dragged the witness! Allow also you totell that your joke is unsuccessful. Thirty three years Iwas Bendzhemin Johnson who was born inthis house and its owner, and now you want toconvince me that the owner ofthe house, Bendzhemin Johnson, this youngman!

Inot only want, but also Ihope toconvince you ofit if you allow tocome into the house and toexplain you some circumstances, obviously tounknown toyou.

 said so convincingly that the young man, having thought alittle, invited him and Johnson tothe house.

With nervousness Johnson entered the house which left so recently. He still hoped tomeet on the usual place, at afireplace, Frederica and the son playing at her legs on afloor. But they were not there

With greedy curiosity Johnson threw the room inwhich carried out so many joyful and bitter minutes.

All furniture was unfamiliar, alien toit.

Only over afireplace still painted plates Elizabethan times afamily jewelry Dzhonsonov hung.

And at afireplace inadeep chair the gray-haired, decrepit old man with the legs wrapped inaplaid, despite warm day sat. The old man took entered an unfriendly view.

The father addressed the young man the old man these people claim that one ofthem Bendzhemin Johnson and the owner ofthe house. Whether you wish tocatch one more sonny?

Bendzhemin Johnson the old man proshamkat, examining Kruks so called my father but he died inGreenland long ago, inthis damned glacier where froze people!.

Allow me totell how there was abusiness Kruks answered. First ofall, Johnson not I, and here it. IKruks. Scientist, historian.

And, addressing the old man, it began the story:

Toyou was if Iam not mistaken, about two years, when your father, Bendzhemin Johnson, fell into atrap the coalman Gilbert and decided tosubject himself tofreezing tosave you and your mother from starvation during unemployment. Also many other suffered much and desperate family workers followed Johnsons example soon. Being empty Konservatorium on the northwest coast ofGreenland quickly was filled with bodies ofthe frozen workers. But Carlson and Gilbert were mistaken inthe calculations.

Freezing ofworkers did not solve the crisis which endured the English capitalism. Even on the contrary: it only aggravated the inflamed passions ofclass fight. The most firm workers were revolted with the frozen human flesh as they called application ofanabiosis toconservation ofthe unemployed, and used freezing as propaganda means. Revolution broke out. Group ofthe armed workers, having captured airplanes, went toGreenland with the purpose torecover the brothers who were dead asleep and toput them inranks offighting.

Then Carlson and Gilbert, wishing toanticipate events, gave on radio the order tothe servants inGreenland toblow up Konservatorium, hoping toexplain this crime with accident.

The radiotelegram was intercepted, both Carlson and Gilbert incurred deserved punishment. However radio waves fly quicker than any airplane. And when pilots went down at the purpose ofthe flight, they found the abysses only gaping, smoking, fragments ofconstructions and pieces offrozen human meat. It was succeeded todig out several untouched accident ofbodies, but also these died from too bystry temperature increase or maybe from suffocation. Works were at aloss the fact that plans underground  disappeared. It was necessary only toput amonument over this sad place. There passed seventy three years

Johnson involuntarily screamed.

And not so long ago, studying history ofour revolution on archival materials, Ifound Gilberts statement with arequest for permission inarchive ofone ofthe former ministries toit toconstruct Konservatorium for conservation ofthe unemployed. Gilbert indetail and eloquently wrote about what benefit can be derived from this means inbusiness an izzhitiya ofperiodic crises and related working disorders. The ministers hand on this statement wrote the instructions: Ofcourse, it is better if they peacefully rest, than torevolt toresolve

But the most interesting was the fact that the plan ofmines was enclosed toGilberts application. And inthis plan my attention was drawn byone mine going far aside from the general network. Ido not know bywhat reasons builders ofmines were guided, laying this gallery. Iwas interested inanother: inthis mine there could be bodies which are not injured byaccident. Iimmediately reported about it toour government. The special expedition was equipped. Started excavation. After several weeks ofunsuccessful searches we managed toopen an entrance tothis mine. It was almost not touched, and we went toits depth.

The terrible show was presented toour eyes. Along along corridor inwalls niches inthree ranks were arranged, and inthem bodies lay. Closer toan entrance, obviously, hot air got, at explosion it killed the people lying inanabiosis at once. Closer tothe middle ofmines temperature, probably, increased more slowly, and several workers recovered, but they probably died from suffocation, hunger or cold. Their distorted persons and convulsively brought together members spoke about agonal sufferings.

At last indepth ofthe mine, behind the covered turn, there was equal cold temperature. Here we found only three bodies, other niches were empty. With all precautions we tried torecover them. And we managedit.

The famous astronomer Eduard Lesley whose death was mourned byall scientific world, the second the poet Mere and the third Bendzhemin Johnson who is just brought byme here on the airplane was the first ofthem If my words are not enough, inconfirmation ofthem Ican provide indisputable proofs. Iterminated!

All sat silently, struck with the story. At last Johnson heaved adeep sigh and told:

Means, Ioverslept seventy three years? Why you did not tell me about it at once? he addressed reproachfully Kruks.

My dear, Iwas afraid tosubject you totoo strong shock after your awakening.

Seventy three years!. inthought Johnson spoke. What at us now year?

August, one thousand nine hundred ninety eighth.

Then Iwas twenty five years old, so now tome ninety eight

But biologically remained toyou twenty five Kruks answered as all your vital processes were suspended while you lay inacondition ofanabiosis.

But Frederica, Frederik!. with melancholy Johnson exclaimed.

Alas, it is absent long ago! told Kruks.

My mother died thirty years ago the old man creaked.

Here so piece! the young man exclaimed. And, addressing Johnson, he told: Then that you my grandfather! You are younger than me, you have aseventy-five-year-old son!.

It seemed toJohnson that he raves. He carried out byapalm on the forehead.

Yes son! Samuel! My little Samuel is this old man! Frederica is absent You my grandson addressed he the tothe namesake toBendzhemin and that woman and the child?.

My wife andson

Your son Means, my great-grandson! It at the same age at what Ileft my little Samuel!

Johnsons thought refused toperceive that this decrepit old man also is his son The old man the son also could not recognize inyoung, blossoming, as the twenty-fifth anniversary tothe young man ofthe father

And they sat confused, inawkward silence looking at each other




VIII.AGASFER


There passed nearly two months after Johnson returned tolife.

Incold, windy September day it played inagarden with the great-grandson George.

This game consisted that the boy took seat inthe small flying car acomputer-controlled aviette. Johnson adjusted management personnel, launched the motor, and the boy, loudly shouting from delight, flew around agarden at the height ofthree meters from the earth. After several circles the device smoothly fell byinadvance defined place.

Johnson long could not get used tothis new childrens entertainment unknown inhis life. He was afraid that tothe mechanism there can be something and the child will fall and rasshibtsya. However the aircraft operated perfectly.

Toput the child on the bicycle too it seemed tous once dangerous Johnson thought, watching the flying great-grandson.

Suddenly the sharp wind gust rejected an aviette aside. Mechanical control was regained immediately bythe broken balance, but wind carried the device aside. An aviette, having changed the direction offlight, flew on an apple-tree and got stuck intree branches.

The child inafright cried. Johnson, innot asmaller fright, rushed tothe aid ofthe great-grandson. He quickly scrambled on an apple-tree and began toremove little George.

And how many times Ispoke toyou that you did not arrange your flights inagarden! suddenly Johnson heard avoice ofthe son Samuel. The old man stood on aporch and inanger shook byafist.

There is, apparently, aplatform for flights no, byall means it is necessary inagarden! Not rumors! Atrouble with these boys! Here you will break tome apple-trees, Iyou!.

Johnson was revolted bythis old man egoism. The old man Samuel very much loved baked apples and worried for an integrity ofapple-trees more, than for life ofthe grandson.

Well you, be not forgotten! Johnson exclaimed, addressing the old man tothe son. This garden was for the first time divorced byme when still you did not exist! Also shout at someone else. Do not forget that Iam your father!

Well, that father? peevishly the old man answered. On favor ofdestiny, my father was aboy! You tome almost ingrandsons are fit! Seniors should obey! tutorially it finished.

Parents should obey! Johnson was not appeased, lowering the great-grandson on the earth. And besides, Ialso am more senior than you. Iam ninety eight yearsold!

Little George ran tothe house tomother.

The old man stood alittle more, moving lips, then angrily waved ahand and too left.

Johnson brought an aviette tothe big garden arbor replacing ahangar and there wearily fell byabench among shovels and arake.

He felt lonely.

With the old man the son he did not have relations at all. The twenty-five-year-old father and the seventy-five-year-old son is the ratio ofyears, not corresponding toanything, put abarrier between them. As Johnson strained the imagination, it refused toconnect together two images: little two-year-old Samuel and this decrepit oldman.

Most closer he met with the great-grandson George. Youth is eternal. The spirit ofmodern times did not leave the mark on George. Child at the age ofGeorge rejoices toboth aray ofsunlight, and atender smile, and red apple the same as children ofits age rejoiced thousands years ago. Besides and the person he reminded his son Samuel child Georges mother, Elaine, also resembled toJohnson Frederik, and he stopped on her alook ofthe grieving tenderness more than once. But inthe opinion ofElaine, directed on it, he saw only the pity mixed with curiosity and fear as though he was anative ofagrave.

And her husband, Johnsons grandson bearing his name Bendzhemin Johnson, was far toit, as well as all people ofthis ofgeneration new, alien toit.

Johnson for the first time felt the power oftime, the power ofacentury. As it is difficult for inhabitant ofvalleys tobreathe the rarefied mountain air, so it was difficult for Johnson living inthe first quarter ofthe twentieth century tobe applied toliving conditions ofthe end ofthis century.

Externally everything changed not so strongly as it was possible toassume.

However, London expanded on many miles inwidth and rose inthousands ofskyscrapersup.

Air traffics became almost exclusive way ofmovement.

And inthe cities moving crews were replaced with mobile roads. Inthe cities it became more silent and purer. Pipes offactories and plants ceased tosmoke. The equipment created new ways ofgetting ofenergy.

But inpublic life and inlife there were many changes since its time.

Workers died on the steps ofapublic ladder as lowest group, groups, excellent from above standing and on asuit, and bytraining, and on habits.

Cars mail exempted workers from the hardest and dirty physical work.

Healthy, simply, but well dressed, cheerful, independent workers were the only class holding all threads ofpublic life inhand. All ofthem got an education. And Johnson studying as copper money nearly hundred years ago felt awkwardly intheir environment, despite all their affability.

They spent all free time more on air, flying on the easy aviettes, than on the earth. They had absolutely other interests, inquiries, entertainments.

Even their short, compressed language, with many new words expressing new concepts was inmany respects unclear toJohnson.

They spoke about societies, institutions, new types ofproperty and sport, new toJohnson

Continually, at each phrase he had toask:

And what isit?

It needed toovertake for what proceeded without it throughout seventy three years, and he felt that not inforces tomake it. Difficulty was not only inextensiveness ofnew knowledge, but also that his mind was not so cultivated toapprehend and acquire everything saved up bymankind for three quarters ofthe century. He could be only the detached, alien onlooker and asubject ofobservation for others. It also constrained it. He felt the views ofthe hidden curiosity which are constantly directed toit. It was something like the recovered mummy, an archeological find ofan entertaining subject ofold times. Between it and society the insuperable side oftimelay.

Agasfer!. he thought, having remembered the legend read tothem inyouth. Agasfer, the eternal wanderer punished byimmortality alien toall and all Fortunately, Iam not punished byimmortality! Ican die and Iwant todie! Around the world there is no person ofmy time, except for, maybe, several old men forgotten bydeath But also they will not understand me because all ofthem time lived, and inmy life afailure! There is nobody!.

Suddenly at it inmind the unexpected thought moved:

And those two who recovered together with me there, inGreenland?

It innervousness rose. Uncontrollably pulled it tothese unknown people who suddenly became so dear toit. They lived inat one time with Frederica and small Itself ale. Some threads are stretched between them But how tofind them? !. He has toknow!

 did not leave Johnson, using him as alive historical source for the work on revolution history.

Johnson hurried toKruks and stated him the request, expecting the answer with such nervousness as though the appointment tothe wife and the little son was necessary toit.

 something thought.

Now end ofSeptember And November, one thousand nine hundred ninety eighth Well, ofcourse, Eduard Lesley has tobe already inPulkovo Observatory, sit at the telescope insearch ofdisappearing Leonid. InPulkovo Observatory the best refractor inthe world. Lesley, ofcourse, there. Inthe same place you will find also the poet Mere He wrote me recently that he goes toprofessor Lesley. And, having smiled, Kruks added: Obviously, all ofyou, old men, feel inclination toeach other.

Johnson hastily said goodbye and went toaway with the first passenger airship which was flying away toLeningrad.

He did not imagine what forthcoming appointment will be, but felt that all this that else can interest it inlife.




IX.UNDER THE STARSKY


The shivering hand Johnson opened hall doors ofPulkovo Observatory.

The huge round hall sank inagloom.

When eyes got used todarkness alittle, Johnson saw the huge telescope standing among the hall reminding the long-range gun which sent the muzzle toone ofopenings inadome. The pipe was strengthened on amassive support along which there was aladder tofifty steps. Ladders conducted also tothe platform for observation at the height ofthree meters. From this platform, from above, someones voice was heard:

 The deviation from aform ofthe stretched ellipse and approach toaform ofaparabola occurs depending on special action ofmass ofcertain planets towhich comets and asteroids are exposed at the movement towards the Sun. The greatest impact inthis regard is just exerted byJupiter which force ofan attraction makes almost thousand share ofan attraction oftheSun

When Johnson heard this voice which was accurately distributed inemptiness ofthe hall when he heard these unclear words it was attacked byshyness.

Why it came here?

What will tell professor Lesley? Unless these parabolas and ellipses are not also unclear toit, as well as new words ofnew people? But torecede was late, and he coughed.

Who there?

It is possible tosee professor Lesley?

Someones steps quickly taped on iron steps ofaladder.

Iam professor Lesley. What can Iserveas?

And Iam Bendzhemin Johnson who which lay with you inGreenland, shipped inanabiosis. Iwanted totalk toyou

And Johnson confusedly began toexplain the purpose ofthe arrival. He said about the loneliness, about the lostness inthis the world, new, unclear for it, even that he wanted todie

Likely, these, new, would not understand it. But professor Lesley understood that easier that many experiences ofJohnson were experienced byhim.

Do not mourn, Johnson, not you one suffer from this rupture oftime. Something similar was tested also byme, as well as my friend Mere, allow topresent him toyou.

Johnson shook hands with gone-down Mere, on the old habit long ago left new people who restored beautiful and hygienic custom ofancient Romans toraise ahand as asign ofagreeting.

You too from workers? Johnson Mere asked though that resembled the worker very little.

No. Iam apoet.

Why you froze yourself?

Out ofcuriosity And perhaps, and from need

And you lay as much time, as well asI?

No, it is slightly less. Ilay at first only two months, was revived, and then decided toplunge into anabiosis again. Iwanted tokeep youth as long as possible! And Mere laughed.

Despite adifference indevelopment and informer situation, these three people were pulled together bythe general strange destiny and an era inwhich they lived. ToJohnsons surprise, the conversation accepted brisk character. Everyone could tell alot ofthings toothers.

Yes, my friend addressed Lesley Johnson not one you test isolation from this new world. Iwas mistaken inmany calculations.

Idecided tosubject myself toanabiosis tohave an opportunity toobserve the heavenly phenomena which occur inseveral decades. Iwanted toresolve the scientific task most difficult for those times. And what? Now all these tasks are resolved long ago. The science made enormous discoveries, revealed during this time such secrets ofthe sky about which we did not dare and todream!

Ilagged behind Iinfinitely lagged behind with grief he added after apause and sighed. But nevertheless I, seem tome, is happier than you! There and he pointed toadome time is estimated inmillions ofyears. That our centuries mean tostars You never, Johnson, observed the star sky inthe telescope?

Not before was Johnson waved ahand.

See the Moon on our eternal satellite! And Lesley spent Johnson tothe telescope.

Johnson looked inthe telescope and involuntarily screamed from surprise. Lesley laughed and told with pleasure ofthe expert:

Yes, such tools did not know our time!.

Johnson saw the Moon as though it was from it at distance ofseveral kilometers.

Huge craters lifted the tops, the black, gaping cracks plowed deserts.

Light, bright topain, and deep shadows gave toapicture extraordinary relief look. It seemed, it is possible togive ahand and totake one ofmoonstones.

You see, Johnson, toLong such what it was and thousands years ago. On it nothing changed For eternity seventy five years are less, than one moment. Lets live for eternity if the destiny tore off us ofthe present! Lets plunge into anabiosis, into this dream without dreams that, wakening once acentury toobserve what is created on Earth and inthesky.

Intwo hundred-three hundred years we, perhaps, will observe life ofanimals, plants and people on planets Through thousands ofyears we will get into the mysteries ofthe most remote times. And we will see the new people less similar on present, than monkeys on people

Perhaps, Johnson, future inhabitants ofour planet will reduce us on degree ofthe lowest beings, will shun relationship with us and even todeny this relationship? Let so. We are not sensitive. But we will see such things ofwhich the people who are becoming obsolete the term put byit life do not dare todream Unless for the sake ofit you should not live, Johnson?

At our request me and Mere is subjected toanabiosis again. You want tojoinus?

Again? with horror Johnson exclaimed. But after long silence he deafly said, having hung the head:

All the same




HUNTING FOR BIG DIPPER


Fatally wounded lion fell upon me and died. All poured byits and blood, weakened bywounds and fight, Ichoked under ashaggy belly ofadead animal. Only inthe morning companions found me and hardly live took from under acorpse ofalion and brought round. But nevertheless Iam grateful toit: if it so well did not cover me, Iwould be torn topieces bythe hyenas who ran together tothe battlefield. That is why Ialso told that the dead can save life live finished the story Is wild.

An interesting case Mike told, throwing dry branches inafire.

Yes, but there are cases better Nick responded, and his face came up from agloom, having sparkled glasses ofpoints. If you are still located tolisten, Iwill tell you an interesting case ofhunting for atiger.

Are not located at all Mike muttered.

But Nick probably did not catch and, having drawn near is closer toafire, briskly told:

There now and perfectly. It was Ido not remember inwhich year: inthe nineteenth

Or inthe twenty ninth.

Do not disturb, Mike. You do not want tolisten, you can go tobed. And so, it was inthe nineteenth or twentieth year Itraveled around Africa and decided tohunt on atiger.

On atiger, inAfrica? with doubt Dick asked.

Do not disturb it, It is wild melancholic Mike told, clapping the lit-up rod on afire.

Yes, on atiger, inAfrica. What here improbable?

Ispoke toyou, Is wild, do not disturb it. The tiger was atraveler too. He came from Asia, jumped through the Red Sea totake awalk inAfrica, and bythe way decided toget acquainted with Nick.

Isat inthe wood Nick continued. There was abright moonlight night. The sky blue toblackness, and on it stars about aplate. Inthe silence ofthe night Iheard careful, furtive steps ofan animal and squeezed more strong my skorostrelnyrifle  No. 2, forty-eight-charging the invention ofmy friend Richard Fild. Heard about it? Cannot be! Where you were? The invention tothemdid the gun  No. 1 then tonoise for the whole world. He, you see aimed toinvent the gun ofextraordinary force which had tooperate nearly with energy ofdisintegration ofatoms.

Mike poorly moaned.

Iwas at its first experience with fildyNo. 1. We went with it tothe island Stek-Skerri [75] and decided tomake test ofthe gun inthe deserted area, on the ocean coast. Fild set the object at height ofabreast ofthe person and shot. Iexpected athunder, but heard only whistle. Idid not manage totake several steps tolook on atarget as suddenly Fild fell with easy groan, being covered with blood. Someones bullet pierced it through. Ahead ofus was nobody. Survey ofawound, wider on abreast, than inaback, convinced me finally that the criminal shot behind. At Fild as all outstanding people, had envious persons and enemies.

What bastard was able todo it! Iindignantly exclaimed, lifting my poor friend.

Be more careful inexpressions Filvd answered with aweak voice. Really you do not understand that Inearly killed myself?

How it could be? Ricochet? The bullet returned back?

On the contrary, it flew all forward, with lightning speed flew about the globe and struck me behind

Iwas so stunned that, having put on wounded Filds earth, began tobecome straight slowly. At this moment at me the hat which is brought down bysomeones invisible hand fell. Ilifted it and saw that the hat is shot. The bullet made one more flight around the globe and nearly killedme.

What will be now? Iperplexed asked, being hasty settled on the earth.

Nasty Fild answered. The bullet has tostrike everything on the way and many troubles will do. Idid not calculate force ofmy gun. Now the bullet will rush around Earth as the small satellite until friction force about air gradually reduces its speeds; then it falls tothe Ground.

But really it punched everything that was on its way: trees, at home, rocks?

Obviously Fild answered, fainting from blood loss.

Fild was right. The bullet really did many troubles. It pierced thousands ofpeople on the way, killing one todeath, crippling others. And only frightened others: smashed acup inhands ofsome old woman who was peacefully sitting at afireplace or punched ahat, as atme.

Inthe woods the bullet killed aset ofanimals, and its way was noted bycorpses which lay as the beads passed byan invisible thread. The globe was as if divided into two half byan invisible barrier through which it was impossible neither topass, nor topass.

It was necessary toput afencing on all way offlight ofabullet. For iron and highways carried out inthe place oftheir crossing byadeadly ring tunnels or built bridges. But it was especially bad at the sea. Red protective buoys specified the forbidden place. The ocean steamship message happened tochange ofpassengers who were transported under the dangerous place on submarines Inaword, the bullet gave awfully much alot oftrouble. At scientists the heads swelled, engineers went as mads, inventing means against abullet. What only they did not think out! Obstacles from concrete, steel boards, and the bullet as if did not notice these obstacles and had no intention toslow down flight. Eventually it was decided how doctors speak, tobe osumkovat: concluded inmetal tubes all its trajectory all way ofits county. Then someone suggested tofill atube with water or oil toincrease resistance. Poured. But from friction liquid evaporated, and pipes burst, and abullet though that! From it alloy it was cast.

What did all this come toan end in? Dick became interested.

Only one Fild could help atrouble, and he helped as soon as became independent after wound. Like cures like he told. It is necessary tosend acounter bullet.

Well?

Well also sent. The bullet crashed into abullet, and the bullet passed through abullet, having shattered into the smallest parts. These parts flying inopposite directions would be dangerous too. But, fortunately, from blow both bullets changed flight, and splinters were carried away inheavenly space towards Big Dipper.

Also wounded her inapaw? seriously Mike asked. But you, apparently, began totell about hunting for the African tiger, and terminated hunting for Big Dipper. What did your hunting for atiger terminatein?

The gun misfired, Irushed on atiger and tore topieces it topieces Nick angrily answered.




DEADHEAD





I.INTHE PURSUIT OFGLORY


Collecting exactly at noon on this glade.

Joseph Morel nodded totwo satellites, corrected aroad bag behind the back and, wagging with anet for catching ofinsects, went deep into athicket.

It were possession ofpalm trees, ferns and lianas.

Morello carelessly sang acheerful song, sharp-sightedly peering through glasses ofpoints at greenish twilight ofthe rainforest. The young scientist was inthe best mood. He was lucky inlife. Morel was not forty more years old, and he already had professors rank. Its work about spiders received an award, and now it received ascientific business trip toBrazil, inthe low-studied riverheads ofAmazon, this paradise for entomologists.

The science knows two hundred thousand species ofinsects. Charlz Read assumes that their not less than ten million. Every year not less than six and ahalf thousand new types are described. It will be not bad if six thousand more opened byJoseph Morel increase this year. What magnificent monument from insects will be erected tohimself byMorel! professor was carried away inambitious dreams. And his dreams were quite feasible. Inthis wood there would be enough material not for one monument. Motley pieces offuture greatness ofMorel inthe form ofbeautiful multi-colored butterflies rushed before it as snow flakes. It was only necessary toaggregate these flakes sparkling all colors ofthe rainbow and scientific immortality ofMorel is provided. His sharp-sighted eye ofthe scientist already noticed several unusual forms ofbutterflies, but Morel did not hurry. Among this inexhaustible wealth he was able toafford luxury tobe legible. Besides he was interested inspiders more, and here they met alittle.

The more went deep the Morello into athicket, the shadows became more dense, the wood is more silent. Huge trunks ofpalm trees as columns, left highly up, closing light ofthe sun the weaved leaves. Vegetable parasites orchids and bromeliya stuck toshaggy trunks ofpalm trees. And below young palm trees and ferns scattered the fanlike leaves, forming adense underbrush. And from apalm tree toapalm tree, from atrunk toatrunk were stretched as snakes, uzlasty lianas these wire entanglements ofrainforests. Inplaces the bright yellow beam ofthe sun cut through the greenish twilight ofthe wood, and ingold ofbeams the red wing ofaparrot flashed, diamond sparkled flown byahumming-bird, the flame lit an orchid flower.

O-and! O-and! Ha-ha-ha! sharply the parrot shouted. It was answered byabig monkey. Hanging on atail, she rhythmic was shaken, trying toreach ahand aparrot. But aparrot, having estimated distance asloping eye, sat not movably and continued grumbling about and as the neighbor who started aquarrel with boredom. Two little monkeys noticed the person and some time followed it, dexterously getting over on hands on lianas. One monkey grasped another byatail. That began tosqueal, grinned, and here they began tofight, having forgotten about Morel.

The wood lived life.

Morels legs softly went on the earth covered with amoss and the rotted-through leaves. It became more difficult togo. Damp, hothouse air was filled with aromas offlowers and plants so strongly that the Morello choked. As though over this wood there passed heavy rain from stupefyingly spicy spirits. The net was confused inbranches. Amorello fell, having hooked for lianas or the tumbled-down trunks which acquired amoss. The scientist passed no more than three kilometers, and already felt fatigue and all was covered with aperspiration. He decided tocome tothe open place. Having looked round, the Morello noticed from himself tothe right alight spot as though there the dawn was engaged, and went tothis gleam. It came tothe forest glade going along the dried-up course ofone ofuncountable small inflows ofAmazon soon. Inthe period ofrains on this course the real river which was carrying away awindbreak inthe prompt current stormed. But now the bottom was dry and covered with sharp marsh herbs. Only at the edges and here and there on abottom the rotted-through trunks oftrees which remained from ahigh water were scattered.

Morello went down inadry bed ofthe river and inhaled inhimself drier and rarefied air. The same minute its attention was attracted with the huge butterfly who had wingspan more than ameter. Amorello even bent down, ready toajump. Init the scientific and passionate insects hunter started talking.

Absolutely new kind ofacherontia medor (the dead head) thought the Morello, monitoring flight ofabutterfly.

The back ofabutterfly was not brown with acaesious reflection, as usual, and golden, with the dark blue drawing ofaskull and the crossed bones. Her forward wings were the same golden color, and back azure. Amorello with chagrin thought that its net is too small tocapture such big insect. But an exit was not. It had tocatch this butterfly, at least with risk injure her wings. And the Morello jumped on abutterfly, having waved anet. The disturbed butterfly made the whistling sound and departed along astream, as if setting on the hunter. Amorello, jumping and falling, ran behind it. Inaminute before his only desire was tostretch inagrass and tohave arest. But now he forgot about it and began tochase abutterfly with such heat as though he caught own immortality. And abutterfly, slowly waving soft wings, continued toattract it for itself as amarsh spark, dexterously dodging from anet inthe zigzag flight. The bed ofthe river coiled, branched on several courses, did abrupt turns that complicated apursuit even more. From Morel sweat poured streams, filling ineyes; abag behind the back and abox for insects dangled on it as on the enraged camel, but he felt nothing and did not see, except the Golden Fleece flitting inair. Tens oftimes he was close tovictory and already let out the triumphing cry, but the butterfly was imperceptible as fantastic bluebird ofhappiness. Amorello ceased tonotice the road for away back for along time. If now ahalf ofBrazil vanished into thin air, he would not notice, hypnotized bythe dead head.




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